email update on baby kate...

Happy weekend, Everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I had my Level II Ultrasound yesterday, so I wanted to share a quick update. My fluid level has dropped quite significantly down to around 8. It's still high enough that it's okay, but it dropped 2 and 1/2 points in less than a week, so that's a little concerning...if it keeps going down that quickly, I won't make it the three more weeks I need to in order to go home and have the baby in Beaumont. So, I'm definately praying for it to either go back up or hold steady, but I also know that God knows what the best scenario is and maybe for some reason that I don't know, it's to have Kate here. I'm 34 weeks and 2 days now, and I know I say this all the time, but I never thought I would make it this far, so I'm so thankful! As far as Kate's size, six weeks ago she was over two weeks behind in her growth placing her in less than the 5th percentile; yesterday, she was only one weeks and two days behind in her growth, placing her in the 25th percentile. This is wonderful news. Since I have gotten here, she has continued to gain ground in her growth. This really is good news, but I was actually a little bit disappointed b/c last Friday (as I shared with a few of you), I was told that she had actually caught up in her growth, so it was kind of a bummer to find out that wasn't the case. BUT her growth has still be excellent, so that is definately a praise!
This week the kids didn't get to come see me on Wednesday, so I've really missed them. Kent was supposed to bring them tomorrow (Sunday) b/c we had a moonwalk rental today (we have a little moonwalk rental business). At about 11:30am, Kent called and said he had good news and bad news. I groaned, figuring it was something to do with childcare for next week. I said I wanted the bad news first. He told me that the moonwalk rental had been canceled. Then I said, "Well, what's the good news?" And he said, "Look outside your window." I looked and he and the kids were getting out of the van. I have been SO good this whole time about never crying in front of the kids, but when Faith ran up to me, I couldn't hold it in. I just held her and cried. So, that was a GREAT surprise and we all had a wonderful day together.

Well, if I could take up one more minute of your time, I would like to ask each of you to take just a few minute and lift up the following prayer requests to the Lord. These are all situations that make me realize I have no reason to feel sorry for myself, and they are all people that truly need a touch from the Lord:

1. My friends Natalie, Erin, and Tia who have each experienced the tragedy and pain of a miscarriage over the last couple of months.

2. Ruth, the six year old daughter of one of the other ladies who was here at the domiscile (she delivered Friday), who has a brain tumor and has been undergoing chemo each week at MD Anderson, WITHOUT her mommy being there to hold her hand. And for her parents as they face so much right now. Her mom, Ana, has a strong faith in the Lord and obviously experiences the peace that passes understanding on a daily basis. She is an inspiration to me!

3. Ava, a little girl just over one year old, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Pray for her complete healing and for her parents...I can't even begin to imagine their pain.

4. Jenn, my cousin's wife, lost her mom a couple of years ago and now her father is fighting cancer. Pray for his healing and for Jenn and her sister as they deal with this terrible situation.

5. Ashley who suffers from MS, for strength and new treatment options that work!

6. Amanda who is also experiencing a high-risk pregnancy with her first child.

7. Polly and her husband, a precious, goldy couple who are awaiting news that will affect their future decisions about children.

8. Elain, the mother of a friend of ours who is battling cancer.

9. Four couples who are struggling with infertility (God knows their names!).

10. And, of course, the families of the students and professors who lost their lives at VA Tech this week.

Prayer works. Thank you for your prayers, and I continue to pray that God will bless each one of you in exactly the ways you need it!

Love,Mindy

it's a struggle...

Chloe - 6mths old

my photography business is coming along. these are a few pics of a session i did saturday morning for my friend kim's little girl. she was the perfect model!!!!

so, i'm finding it a little more difficult to blog these days. life seems to be in full force! i'm crazy busy and have started wandering if i have too much going on. i don't know what i would let go, however. i love everything i'm doing! oh well, i guess things will slow down when i die!! ha! sorry...a little morbid, i know...

lily is getting a replacement tube for her right ear in the morning. we have to be at the hospital at 6:30am. why am i sitting here right now??? good question...i should be in bed. i just got back from rockwall. i have been practicing with my dad's choir at fbc for a recording we are doing on mon. and tues. of next week.

kriste and i got up this morning and walked. sadly, we haven't walked in 30 days. ughhhhh...... we are trying to get back into the swing of things... it's just hard to make the time and lose the sleep.

tomorrow night we are taking the kids to ennis where kyle works on fridays. the kennel has 24 acres of bluebonnets in full bloom right now. i'm going to take some pics of the kids.

well, that's all for now. :)