Sunday, December 9, 2012

Ladies Night Out

Last night, after I met everyone at the airport for Karen's arrival home, I met up with my good friend Melanie.  We headed down to Woodruff, to our friend Tina's church, for a Ladies Night Out!
 It was a very fun night.  The ladies from the church decorated their tables.  Tina's was decorated in a "Paris" theme and was super cute!
 The food was yummy and the speaker was pretty funny.  And...I won a prize :)
 My sweet friends:  Me, Tina, Melanie and Kim (who I also go to church with :)
After the Ladies Night Out, we headed to a Christmas party, hosted by another one if our friends, Rachel!  We had a great time there too!
It was a fun filled night, with lots of good food, fun and fellowship!  Thanks ladies for a great night!
~"And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger"  Luke 2:12~

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Karen's Home

Karen came home today!!  And I was so excited to get to see her.  She has been stationed in Alaska for what seems like forever, so it is so nice to have her home, especially around the Christmas season!!
 Everyone patiently awaiting her arrival...with signs in hand!
 Brandon and Steven
 April and Brooklyn
 Katie :)
 Me and Kristen
 Karen's Mama-Saundra, brother-Gabe and sis-Kristen
 And there it is...coming in from Chicago...we finally saw "arrived"
 And there she is!!!  Yay Karen!  We are so glad to have you HOME!
 Karen, are you waving at me...or telling me to quit taking pictures??  I think you were waving :)
 Hugs from her brother...
 and her Dad...
 And her Mom!
 The Dale Family
 Sweet friends
Karen Lola, I am "happy, happy, happy" that you are home!  Can't wait to spend some time with you during this special time of year!!  We are so proud of you and so thankful for your service to our country! 
Love you friend!
~"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy"  Matthew 2:10~

Friday, December 7, 2012

Casts Are OFF!!

Today is the day that Gracie's casts come OFF!  Yay :)  We were all very excited...maybe a little nervous, but mostly excited for this extra special day.  Here is Missy's update from this morning: 
"Gracie Update: Good morning everybody! TODAY'S THE DAY!!! At 10am, we will be signing in and getting ready to be cast free. Braces and shoes will be on and from there, we will STAND!! Y'all be praying for as little pain in that process as possible. Her legs and feet are weak but our God is STRONG!!! ♥ I will post a picture and update later today. Love y'all!"
"This is the day that the Lord has made.....we will rejoice & be glad!"
Day 1-Dec 3rd
Look at those long legs :)  Getting ready to say bye bye to those oh so colorful casts!
Gracie and Mom, ready to go!
 Josh, Gracie and Me...waiting to go back!
 Love this sweet girl to pieces!
 And they're OFF!!  There were tears, but this girl is so strong and did so good!  Yay Gracie!  And look at her new knee immobilizers.  To add a little color, she chose purple.
 Gracie and Nana with big smiles because she is up and in the wheelchair :) 
 "I CAN do this!!" 
 Just playing a little on the Ipad while getting fitted for her new braces!  One is Clemson and the other is Carolina!  After this fitting session, Gracie got to pick out three Christmas presents from Shriner's.  She got an Uno game and one more thing for her, and then picked out a pillow pet for her angel tree child.  Precious girl!
 Preacher Dean and Mrs. Susie were there to cheer Gracie on!  We all had a great lunch in the dining room of Shriner's.  A nice break from the eventful morning.  After lunch, Gracie had therapy a few times, and then they went to their room, where they will be staying for the next few days while Gracie undergoes intense therapy.
 This girl is already doing toe touches!!  Praise be to God!
 Check out my knee immobilizers and my NEW shoes...holla!
Missy's Day 1 update: 
"Gracie Update: Hey y'all! Today has been so full....full of hope, full of pain, full of courage...just full. Therapy was painfully intense today. Tomorrow's therapy times are 8:30, 10 and 2. Y'all pray like never before....it's so hard to hear her scream and watch her cry. God is faithful and I know GREAT things are ahead!!!"
 
Day 2-Dec. 4th
 Look at this awesome girl sitting pretty with those legs bent!  She sat like this for an hour!  You GO girl!
 Gracie stood today :)  "Our God is so GREAT, so STRONG and so MIGHTY, there's nothing my God cannot do!"
 Gracie during therapy

 Through the tears, she kept on going!  Brave girl!
 And after a day of super intense therapy...Gracie got to get into...
 this awesome tub.  She said it "felt like a hot tub."
Missy's update on Day 2- "Gracie Update:: Well, well, well.....just let me tell you how awesome my God is! I asked the scheduling lady if she could see if there was any availability for us to stay one more night so we wouldn't have to commute. She said just before I asked, the people that would be needing our room had called and cancelled. AND, this same angel, Ms. Shannon, said to follow her to a private bathroom. Y'all.....this bathtub moved up and down and had a lift for Gracie to lay in so her legs and feet didn't touch the hard tub. WOOHOOOO!!!!!!! Now tell me that God ain't good!!!! With all that said, we get to stay through Friday!" :)

Day 3-Dec. 5th 
Posted by Missy:  "There were tears with every step this morning but she was able to take several.  CAN I HEAR A VICTORY SHOUT!?!?!"
 Posted by Missy:  "Therapy Day 3.....kickin it with a victory shout!! Claiming His promise for my little fighter today!!!"
 "I DID it!!"  "Preach it," as Gracie would say :)

Day 4-Dec. 6th
Missy's Day 4 update-"Gracie Update: Ok y'all....here's the deal. She is in very little pain because of surgery. BUT she has unending fear. Her triceps are VERY weak and she has NO strength in her butt muscles. Both of these are critical right now in therapy. Please cover these 2 parts in your praying. Also that Gracie would believe that she can do it. I'm constantly telling her but SHE doesn't believe that about herself right now. Y'all cover us......."
 Posted by Missy:  "Gracie's got her faith-face on!! She said for me to post on Facebook that she has the faith that she can do it and she's starting tomorrow morning in therapy! YAY!!!" 
I got to see this girl tonight, along with Missy and Patti!  And we busted them out of there for few and went to Gracie's favorite restaurant..."Olive Garden" for some yummy "Alfredo."  It made my heart smile to see that sweet face and to spend some time with them!  Gracie also got a visit from Jen, Papa and Pa Knight that evening!

Day 5-Dec 7th 
 We are going HOME!!  Yay!  Gracie had therapy this morning, and headed home afterwards!  Missy's  update:  "Therapy Week 1: DONE! It WILL get easier and already has since we've been home. Tonight she rode up the lift chair and took a bath in her bathroom. :) She's in bed and I'm heading that way too. Lesson this week: no matter how heavy the backpack of fear is that you carry, you can always take it off with the help of the Lord Jesus and the power of the Word! Night y'all!"
What a brave, strong girl you are Kylie Grace Knight!  We are so proud of YOU and love you so very much!  With your attitude and perseverance, and with God holding your hands, we are believing and trusting in faith, that you WILL be walking soon!  You inspire us all sweet girl...keep up the amazing work!  Still claiming this for my girl:
~"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."  Ephesians 3:20"~

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Twin Living Christmas Trees

Sunday, Dec. 2nd, Josh and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary and we got to spend the evening with two of our favorite people!  We went to see the Twin Living Christmas Trees. 
 My family and I used to go see the "trees" every year, but we haven't been in a while.  So, I thought it would be fun this year to take Gracie, who has never been before and Missy, who hasn't been in a really long time.
 Pretty girls!
 Getting a quick pic before the show starts!
 Missy and Josh
 Happy Anniversary Babe!!  I love you!
 One more in front of the pretty tree!
We had pretty good seats and really enjoyed the show.  Other than a few loud noises (nothing a little ear holding couldn't fix :), I think Gracie really enjoyed it too.  She was wanting to buy a video so Nana and Papa could see it!  What a fun night with our favorite gals!  We love you two!
~"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6~