It's 7:00 in the morning, and we have been up for almost an hour already.  You see, today is a very special holiday for the girls.  4 years ago, they both came into a new world of a very special holiday called "Not Christmas."  This is the half way point from last Christmas to this coming Christmas.  Abby was very sick.  I can't believe that I can say this now, but she was in the hospital, but I can't remember what she was sick with.  "Dave Claus" (Santa's brother) brought both of the girls presents to celebrate not Christmas.  "Dave" usually met James at the hospital with flowers for Abby.  He is Santa's brother that visits sick kids in the hospital and brings them flowers and balloons.  Really just anything that might put a small smile on their face.

So, carrying on the tradition, they were visited last night with some extra gifts to get them through until Christmas.  Crafts, summer outside stuff.  Not a whole lot, just some special things to get them through.  You would think that it is actually Christmas morning here.  They are so happy!

Abby's next dr visit is June 30th.  Please remember her in your prayers that all her blood work keeps turning out good.

Hannah
So, Hannah lost her first tooth tonight.  She was so excited.  She and Abby snuck into the bathroom, and Abby pulled it for her.  I'm not sure which one was happier.  Abby is convinced that that the tooth fairy will leave her a little money because she is her favorite and she helped pull it.    They grow up every day more and more.  Unbelievable. 

So, I'm finally updating....

Guess I'm not sure how long it has been since I updated the site.  I do know that I have had my life threatened numerous times lately if I don't do it soon.  Abby is doing FANTASTIC!  Having a bit of an adjustment period, but health wise she is doing great.  She turned 8 last month and is almost finished with the second grade.  This school year seems like it will never end!  I'm ready to have them at home again.

Both girls are growing like little weeds.  Abby isn't too much shorter than me these days.  Hannah is almost finished with Kindergarten.  She walks around with a book in her hand all the time and is reading chapter books like a pro.  I have to help her with very few words.

I can not believe how fast time flies! We have been in our new place for 6 months already.  Oh, guess I should announce that we moved!  New state...new life.  James is no longer with the railroad.  I am no longer a Real Estate Broker.  Maybe we had an early midlife crisis.  Not sure, but we decided that we didn't want the life we were living anymore.  It's time for daddy to be home with the girls and not gone all the time.  We started looking to move about 2 years before the move finally happened.  He looked at me one day and said he was finished, lets go.

December 8, 2009 we headed out of Marshalltown with all our stuff in the back of a moving truck and left.  Well, kind of.  There may have been a blizzard and we may have been stranded in a hotel for 2 days before we actually made it out of the state.  :o) James' uncle found us a hotel that would allow a dog.  He was on a moments notice to find us a landing spot if we needed it. 

James made what could have been a total disaster into an adventure that we will all remember for the rest of our lives.  I walked in the room and crashed as soon as we got in.  (He was driving the moving truck pulling my car and I was driving his truck pulling a trailor with the motorcycles and garage stuff.)  He said he would be back in a bit.  2 hours later he showed back up with half of Wal-mart.  OK, maybe not that much, but more than enough to keep us all happy.  He brought enough food for several days, pajamas for me and the girls, books to read, coloring books, etc...  He is wonderful.  I am so thankful for him.  I almost hated to see the roads clear up so we could move on.  (I'll post a pic of our stuff outside the hotel.)

So, as to our new life.  I have returned to college to complete my degree, James is going for the first time, and the girls well, they love being close to my mama and daddy!  I love being close to my mama and daddy also.  I never thought I would be close to them again.

I've put some new pics in the photo album.  Let me know if you need our new address and I will send it to you.

Thank you all so much for your years of support and prayers for our precious little girl.

Well, summer is off to a very busy start.  Being the parent of a normal child is taking some getting use to.  Last summer Abby was still pretty tired from all the treatments, not this summer.  We are doing all kinds of normal things.  The girls are up with the chickens and will put bed time off as long as possible and I am loving every minute of it.

The girls and I have already been to Kentucky once this summer.  We left right after school was out and stayed almost a week for my nephew's graduation.  Had a great visit.  Monday James is leaving for a road trip to California to see a Marine buddy that he hasn't seen for about 13 years or so and the girls and I will be heading back to Kentucky for 2 weeks.  Looks like my nephew Caleb will be coming back with us this time.  Everyone is excited for the trips.  Of course, my nerves could use a break since James will be riding the motorcycle out and back.  I'm a bit of a worry wart so I'm not taking this one too well.

Well, off for bath times etc... 

Last day of the 1st Grade...

I can't believe that I dropped Abby off for the last day of the 1st Grade this morning.  It's so incredible to see all the changes from the beginning of the year to the end.  She can read anything she wants to, was bumped into the enriched spelling group and I believe enjoys school more that she wants to let on to dear ol' mom.  The next time I drop her off, Hannah will be going as well.  I still just can't believe how big they are getting.

Well, since it has been so long since I posted, guess I should do a little catching up.  Abby celebrated her 7th birthday in April.  All birthdays are a celebration, but I'm sure most of you can understand that these are extra special around here.  I believe that she had fun, but next year she wants a birthday party with her friends.  Guess a bunch of adults at our house just isn't fun anymore.  Lots of big girl gifts this year.  She didn't want any toys from us so she got her very first CD player and a High School Musical CD.  Are we entering the tween years already???

Now for health issues...well...there are none!  (I love being able to say that.)  She saw Dr Mitchell (oncologist) at the beginning of May.  Was wonderful to see him again since he as gone into semi-retirement.  Going 3 months between checkups was a bit rougher, but we made it and I only made one call in this time.  Amazing. 

So, one year and 3 months, blood work was beautiful.  I will NEVER be able to say this enough times, but thank you for all the prayers for Abby.

Now, should I give a little update on Hannah?  It's amazing how two children of the same parents can be so different.  Genetic make up is an incredible thing.  I could list their differences all day long, but we will leave it at this, Hannah is our dare devil.  Last night, the girls and I were talking and she says, "Mommy, I want to jump out of an airplane with one of those big things that pop out."  I said, "a parachute?"  "YES!" she says.  This week she also busted out her bedroom window with her head doing some acrobatics.  Don't worry, she is fine, only a scratch on her leg???  The window took way more damage than her head.  She also launched herself off of her bicycle doing her Evil Canivil stunts in the back yard.  She is too funny.  Keeps us on our toes and is quite the funny little girl.  

The thing that the girls do share in common is that they are the two most loving little critters that I have ever been around.  They will give out hugs, kisses and snuggles all day long.  I love these babies and being a mother to them is the most rewarding experience in the whole world.  I'm so thankful that James and I are their parents.  I am also so blessed to have such a wonderful husband to share all this with.  He is amazing.

Well, I should run.  Got lots of packing to do today.  The girls and I will be leaving for Kentucky bright and early in the morning for my nephew's high school graduation.  Hoping the weather is good and that we have a safe trip.

With love,

Carrie

P.S.  I finally put some new pictures up.  Be sure to check them out.

Happy Easter!

I can't believe that Easter is here already.  The girls have colored their eggs today and are very excited for candy and church tomorrow.  My nephew, Nathan, is here for spring break.  Not too much going on around here.  Abby's 7th birthday will be next Saturday. 

Well, just wanted to wish everyone a good Easter Sunday.

 Carrie

Well, all is well in the Reeder household.  Snowed again all day yesterday, the girls are ready for winter to be over.  We are heading to Cedar Rapids this afternoon to visit Aunt Kate.  James scored a mower for $30 that sounded like it was on it's last leg.  Leave him alone with it for 15-20 minutes and the next thing you know he has it singing!  Self propell working and everything.  We're gonna take it over to her since hers needs serious help.  Girls are excited, they love going for a visit.  Plus, it's nice to get out of this town for a while. 

Abby attended her first ever cheer/dance camp yesterday.  She had fun, but her knee ended up hurting her quite a bit.  She twisted it last week skating in gym.  I wish we had gotten to skate in gym when I was in school!  How fun!

I can't believe that we have less than two months of school left.  This year has gone by so fast.  I'm still not use to 1st grade and Preschool, next thing I know it will be 2nd and Kindergarten.  Hannah goes for Kindergarten round up this month.  My babies are growing up so fast.

My nephew's MRI came back fine!  Thank you for your prayers.  The doctor will keep him on preventative medication for now just to be on the safe side since the EEG did show some abnormal activity.  Looks like he will be flying in to spend his Spring Break with me and the girls this Friday or Saturday.  I can't wait to see him.

Wishing all of you a wonderful week this week.  Hopefully, some spring weather is around the corner.

Carrie

Julie's Uncle

Please remember the family of David Arvin in your prayers.  I received this message from my dear friend Julie (she took care of setting up allaboutabby.org).  I can't ever express what a wonderful blessing she has been in my life for the last 14 years or so!

 

For those of you praying, thank you and please keep it up. He really needs your prayers.

David was taken into surgery sometime around 2:30 a.m., according to Lance's last text message. My mom also just called and said that he is recently out of surgery, finished (for now) around 6am. The trauma team is basically uncovering more and more injuries and the road ahead is a perilous one. The total breaks in David's badly injured leg are nearly too numerous to count; between the ankle, tibia, and femur, there are close to (and maybe well over) 20 breaks, at least one of those being a compound break...a break thru the skin. After surgery on just the ankle area, basically just 4 hours of intensive "clean up" is all they could do, they tried removing the breathing tube, but David wasn't able to breathe on his own, so it's been reinserted. This could be due to the lung that is low-functioning, the pain that keeps him from taking deep breaths, the anesthesia, or all of it combined. That is obviously a big concern--his ability to breathe on his own.

I'm going to just kind of bullet point the other details because they came all together and I was still hung up on the number of breaks my mom described to me...

• The doctors are saying there is a 3 out of 5 chance his foot may not heal as hoped and he may lose it.

•It appears that a couple broken ribs caused the collapsed lung.

•He has lots of drain tubes from the major injuries and they are all draining blood. There still may be more internal injuries than expected. But for now, the tube in the lung is at least draining it and keeping it from filling up with fluid.

• There is a high risk of infection from the combined seriousness of the injuries. Please pray that he would be protected from getting blood clots, infections, and pneumonia.

•He definitely needs additional surgery, many of them, but they aren't planning to operate again until Monday. His injuries are too severe and they only addressed the ankle surgery because it was exposed to air and infection from the compound fracture.

• His shoulder or arm has at least four breaks and those will also be addressed later.

Accident details: It looks like there were 3 vehicles involved. David was hit head-on and basically received all the severe injuries since many of the hits came to his left driver's side. It took about 20 minutes for the accident response team to cut David out of the car. According to the wreckage, it's a miracle David is living--so there's God's first mighty act in all of this! We know there is a purpose to David's survival!

The other passenger, Bart Jones, is injured and will need surgery, but he has remained in the ER over night and his condition appears to be much more stable and less life-threatening than David's. He should make a full recovery.

To say the least, the extent of his injuries are very severe. We are all keeping a positive attitude and leaning into Jesus.

Please pray for David! And pray for Tina, Tim & Ashley, Lance, my Grandma, my parents, and our extended family. Please pray for guidance, wisdom, and revelation for David's doctors, surgeons, and nurses.

I will keep the updates coming. Thanks!

My sister just called after meeting with the neurologist this morning.  The EEG showed abnormal activity in his brain.  They will not classify him as being epileptic until he has has 3 or more involuntary seizures.  He will go back this afternoon at 2:00 for an MRI.  He is NOT being released to drive at this time.  They have started him on a medication that will hopefully level everything out.  It should help him sleep as well.

Please remember all of them in your prayers.  Nathan and his parents have been at odds for quite some time and for whatever reason, maybe just a 17 year old boy thing, he has quite the "I don't care about anything" attitude.  I can't imagine being a senior in high school with prom, spring break and graduation coming up and being told that there is abnormal activity in the brain.  Not being able to drive is a HUGE sore spot at this time, plus he was planning to go to Daytona Beach for Spring Break.  Looks like those plans are out.

I just got off the phone with him.  He has lots of questions and for whatever reason, he won't ask anyone else but me.  If any of you have experience with this type of stuff or have a medical back ground please let me know.  Many of his questions I don't know how to answer.  Bottom line is that the kid really does care, he just doesn't want to show that it is bothering him.

For those of you that don't know, I was only 12 when Nathan was born.  My sister and I are 10 years apart and he is more of a brother to me than a Nephew.  While Abby was having treatment for Leukemia, he volunteered to come spend the whole summer with me to help take care of the girls so I could work as much as I could.  Abby was hospitalized twice during one of the summers from complications from the chemotherapy, James stayed with her and I would be there during the day.  Nathan would stay here at the house with Hannah (who was only 2).  He cooked, cleaned, did laundry (yes, I said laundry), changed diapers, gave baths and anything else he could to make sure that I could just spend time with Hannah.  He was 15 at the time.  I don't know many teenagers that would put aside their summers of fun to come and hang out with me and my kids and play Mr. Mom.  I love this kid dearly!

Thanks for your prayers & thanks for asking about him,
Carrie

Update on my nephew
CATScan came back clean, and they have ruled epilepsy out. Praise God! The drs are leaning toward stress and lack of sleep. Nathan has had problems sleeping for about 6 months or more. He is being released to go home and all his tests will be sent to a neurologist. I'm hoping they get a second opinion just to be on the safe side. He will be unable to drive for 90 days. That will be tough for a senior in high school! Thank you all for your prayers! This could have been so much worse.