Power of Prayer

I have a very special request...all of you who read my blog please pray tonight and tomorrow for Tricia Lawrenson--she's undergoing her double lung transplant right now! It is going to be a LONG night for all involved. You can get all the info as it happens at their blog site, Confessions of a CF Husband, which is linked up on the right side of your screen or just click on Tricia's name above.

I can not even begin to imagine what all the emotions are like for Tricia's family or the donor's family. But I do know that God is good ALL THE TIME. And I also know that prayer works!

Wow, I serve an amazing LORD!

Thank you so much for gathering at the foot of His Throne with me. What an honor!

The newest addition....MADISON MARIE!

Fresh from the womb


Proud new Daddy admiring his new little girl.


Scott getting ready to announce "boy or girl" to all the waiting family with his specially made t-shirt!


Savannah looking in awe of her new little cousin. She was so enthralled with her!


All clean and wrapped and ready for cuddling!


Mommy holding Madison after she's all cleaned up!


Brayden loving on his newest cousin. When he first peered into her warmer he asked cautiously, "Can I pet her?"


First Croyle family photo!


A great family moment!


Me & Weebs with Madison--note my most excellent t-shirt!

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The kids and I topped off our crazy Easter weekend by driving out to Pittsburgh early Monday morning for my sister Erica's labor & delivery. I had the most amazing opportunity to be in the labor room with Erica and Scott as the doula...a.k.a. labor coach/support!! There was lots of family there waiting to meet the newest Croyle and they all helped out with watching my three so I could be with Weebs & Scott. This was definately a "team effort"! There was alot of support from both family and friends--what a testiment to strength in numbers!

What a blessed, awesome, and humbling experience for me. Weebs also surprised me with gifts when I got there--a personalized t-shirt for the occasion and a Willow Tree "Quiet Strength" plaque. Needless to say, I was shedding tears even before Weebs was! I haven't been apart of a birth (my three aside) since Belize during college. Weebs and Scott did such an amazing job. The doc induced her around 11pm Easter Sunday and she was a trooper all throughout the labor...only a few doses of Nubain here and there and finally getting an epidural around 6pm Monday when she wasn't progressing past 7cm. She needed the rest!! And when she did, she completely dilated and was ready to push around 8:30pm! Her "practice push" ended up being the real deal--just over 20 minutes later (about 4 rounds of pushing) beautiful Madison Marie entered our world!! What a miracle! She weighed in at 6lbs. 12oz. and was 19 inches long. Praise the Lord!! I was SO proud of Erica! I think I told her this about three hundred times over the course of the day. Actually my throat was so sore for the next two days from all the talking/coaching I did--but, WOW, was it ever worth it!! :)

The experience was a humbling reminder of how the Lord uses our experiences--be they good or bad--to help others. After our awful birth experience with Brayden and two wonderful experiences with the girls, both Daryl and I have made it our mission to share with others (1)the dangers of Pitocin and induction when improperly used/advocated/warranted,(2)being your own best advocate of what you want and (3)trusting the Lord in ALL things. By God's grace and answer to our prayers Weebs did not have to undergo a c-section--as so often happens with induction.

It amazed me,too, that His presence was definately felt by everyone in the room--not just me. The music Ercia had playing softly in the background certainly affected us all and invited Him to be there in a real and tangible way. She compiled a "Christian music playlist" on her laptop and "we" labored to praise and worship music. I'm not certain about Weebs (her mind was on other things), but I do know that it was so uplifting and comforting to me and to the staff that entered the room. Both Erica's doctor and the anesthesiologist who did the epidural commented on the music and how much they enjoyed it. I also overheard them saying how it was such a different environment--so much more peaceful--then what they're used to. What a great witness Erica was without even realizing it and during one of the most difficult times! I'm still in awe of the experience. And I am so very grateful that the Lord could work through me to help Weebs and Scott in one of the coolest moments of their lives! Thank you both so much for letting me share such a special event with you...and if you so choose, I will GLADLY be there for the next one!!

Five words from a child's mouth that make a Momma's blood run cold...

..."DO YOU LIKE MY HAIRCUT?"

Those words from Brayden greeted me yesterday morning while I was still asleep. Needless to say I shot up like a rocket out of our bed! Daryl was just as shocked as I was at the sight. After alot of drama and tears from Brayden (and almost, me)we got out the clippers and Daryl fixed it as best he could.

Oh, and yeah, the story doesn't end there. Savannah was sitting on my lap reading books when I ran my fingers through her sticky-from-breakfast hair. A two inch piece came out in my hands! I gave her a close-up and saw that she, too, had been to the barber's! When I asked her if she cut her hair she gave me a disgusted look (as though to say, "As if, Mom")and replied emphatically, "NO! Bayden(as she pronounces it) cut my hair!" Thankfully her "trim" wasn't as bad. It just look like she got the right side of her hair layered for the season. You know, all the two-year-olds are doing it.

The best part was Daryl's disbelief/shock that Brayden would cut his and Savannah's hair--and our conversation went something like this:

D: (laughing) I can't believe he'd do that! That's not like Brayden. What would possess him to do such a thing?

M: Honey, every kid cuts their hair at some point!

D: Well I never did.

M: Correction. Every normal kid cuts their hair at some point.

It is taking some getting-used-to, but its not bad. I will admit, though, that I'm looking forward to his hair growing back in...as is he! Brayden was NOT initially pleased with the outcome, to say the least. It suddenly dawned on him that he looks just like our nephew, Leighton--whom Brayden admires so much--and now he is LOVING his new 'do!

Oh well it grows back, right??


Crying because he thought that his hair would never grow back!


Close-up of the frontal damage.


His new spiked do!


Happy (finally) because he "looks just like Leight!"


And if I may direct your attention to the portion of hair just by her right ear...

For Tricia (& Nate)!

If you're wondering, "Who's Tricia & Nate?" then you haven't heeded my earlier advice to check them out HERE.

So Tricia (and Nate), here's my list I wrote to our little girl in honor of her 2nd birthday...and here's also a special poem for all moms (using Nate's words I "bumped" them from two of my previous posts!) Tricia, I pray that your list(s), writings, and ramblings of love & adoration will fill up rather quickly (and I know they will) because of sweet Gwenyth and her precious Daddy. I pray that you can cherish each step of the amazing journey of parenthood. There is nothing like it on Earth and nothing that can bring you into a whole new understanding of our Father and His Love like a child can. Like many others who have posted, I am constantly in prayer for you and your dear family. You are such an inspiration! Love, Mandy

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I love the fact that I have a daughter (actually two daughters now) whom I thought I would never have. I love watching her face light up and hearing her shrill as her Daddy walks through the door. I love the fact that she's a Daddy's girl through and through...that she will never have to doubt of our Father's love for her because of the example she has here on Earth. I love how sassy she can be. I love that she can already hold her own in a crowd. I love that she is sensitive. I love that she sucks her thumb and has a beloved blanket. I love that she loves to play in the dirt with trucks and cars while holding and caring for her babydoll. I LOVE her laugh. I love her curls. I love her eyes. I love her insaitable appetite...and that she never lets others go hungry, either! I love her love for reading and hearing her call, "Read book me!" as she comes down the hall with 4-5 books in her arms. I love that she loves brushing her little chicklet teeth. I love watching her love on her little sister. I love watching her imitate her older brother. I love hearing her sing (and singing with her). I love hearing her sing herself to sleep at night. I love that she can't fall asleep without us praying with her and everyone giving/getting a kiss. I love her little handprints all over my newly-cleaned walls. I love the mere fact that the love of a little 2-year-old girl enamores so many hearts and brings so much joy into so many lives without even being aware of it and without even trying. I love that she (along with her brother and sister) has taught--and continues to teach-- me more about God's love and about my being His child than anything else in my life. I love being her Momma.

And I can't imagine our lives without her.

11.2.2007
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Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put
him or her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't
stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could instantly love someone so much.
I could never have known I would love being a Mom this much.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so
important and happy.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes
to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much more...before I was a Mom.

~Unknown

NEVER leave child(ren) unattended!

While I was taking clothes out of the dryer, Savannah decided to share her chocolate pudding with Sophia:







Yep, got this lesson loud and clear.

Happy Birthday Lol and Ninge!

My oldest and youngest sisters share the same birthday. Today I'm celebrating them and thanking the Lord for his gifts of them to me. They (along with Weebs) have blessed & taught me so much. Happy birthday Shelli and Ang!! I love you BUNCHES!!!

WELCOME HOME CHRIS!

Savannah was kind enough to share her blankie with Nicki! She is such a nut...that's one of the many reasons I love hanging out with her!


Our very dear friend, Chris, has been in Iraq for 15 months on his second tour with the Army. Every day we prayed for Chris (and his wife, Nicki) during breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime. Brayden learned to properly pronounce Iraq--he started by saying Iwak--over the course of Chris' tour. Needless to say, we were SO EXCITED to meet up with them in Harrisburg for a long, leisurely lunch when he returned home. Brayden (loving everything camo, Army, etc. & having seen pix of Chris from Iraq) asked if Chris would have on his camo gear and be carrying his gun--HAHAHA!!

We had a great time with them. Chris had an album of pictures and stories to share. It was so refreshing to get an honest, non-media-biased view from one who has been there. The kids loved hanging out with them too--and vice-versa! Nicki kept calling Chris a "baby hog" because he wasn't sharing Sophia...unbeknowst to any of us that day is the wonderful news that they will be having a baby of their own! CONGRATS!! We're looking forward to visiting them in Texas (hopefully) soon. Well here's some pix of us outside Olive Garden. Yes, it was VERY windy and cold!

7 Months

Our sweet Sophia turned 7 months old...and we celebrated by driving through a whiteout (see below)! Sophia just gets sweeter with time! She is so full of personality. Our favorite trait is her amazing smile (as you can see in her "swing shot").

She is still toothless (which is rare in the Yount gang--her sibs had teeth by four months and a mouthful at one year) but we're not complaining! Daryl likes them staying gummy...he says they look so grown-up when the teeth come. I like the fact that I'm not getting biten :)

It was my first whiteout experience. Totally wild! We could barely see to the end of our hood, let alone anything else. What is typically a 3 1/2 hour drive took us nearly EIGHT hours! I'm just thankful that we have kids who enjoy travelling and do it well. And I'm thankful for friends who were praying and calling often to see how we were fairing in the snow. Next time, though, we'll gladly stay home!

Brace Yourself!

Today starts a new frontier for me...I had my braces applied to my top teeth yesterday morning. The bottom ones will follow in about 8 weeks. Okay, I have a whole new respect for everyone who has ever gone through this!! Wow. And Ow! My top teeth are actually straight but must be adjusted to correct the bottom ones properly. And I'm very grateful for a high pain tolerance 'cause I can't imagine this for the faint of heart. Oh, and I get to have my one bad tooth (the one that is the reason for all of this) pulled. Yay and double yay. But after 20+ years, I will have proper bottom teeth all in a row and no more bleeding gums!! Now that gets a true YAY!!

P.S. Just remind me of that if ever you hear me complain in the next 12 months :)

Home safe and sound...with pictures!

We all returned home safely over the weekend. Daryl arrived home late Friday night, while we returned home Saturday evening. Our flights went incredibly well--and after learning of the many, many people praying for us it came as no surprise to me! God's hand of protection and calm was over us in such a real way. Thank you to all who prayed!! And I'm so thankful to the Lord that He impressed upon so many hearts (at all hours of the day and night) to pray for us. Again I am humbled...

We had a GREAT time in Arkansas!!!! I can not say that enough. I'm not even sure I can do it justice by writing about our week with the Johnson family. For anyone who is distanced from their family in any way, you can understand. I loved being with my sister. Just experiencing every day life with her and her family was great (and quite funny at times, I must admit!) The kids loved being with their cousins. Brayden had a blast with Leighton being boys and doing boy things. And he also got quite a kick out of his Tia (AKA Aunt Shelli) as always. And Savannah loved being doted on by Hannah, Elle, and Tia. Sophia got more lovin' in that week than most of her 6.5 months of life in total! It was simply great...have I mentioned that?

Some highlights:
1) Spending an afternoon at the Arkansas Air National Guard base with Mr. Wally where Brayden and Leighton got to sit in the cockpit of an A-10 fighter plane! It was so amazing to watch the planes and crews get ready for flight and take-off/land one their runs. We also saw a Blackhawk take off...the boys eyes about bugged out of their heads!

2) Playing UNO Attack with Shelli, Hannah, and Elle. We laughed so hard that at times I thought I might have an accident!

3) Seeing a bald eagle in flight over my sister's house. The scenery in general was AMAZING!

4) Leight-dawg had a basketball game on Saturday morning that we got to attend before flying home. He had 4 baskets and is quite the budding basketball player...I especially loved the "double pump from the chest with some love" that he threw our way during the game. It was so funny!!!!

5) Spending an afternoon doing crafts at the table with all the kids. Our neices are SO creative...they amaze me.

6) Having the most beautiful snowfall on Thursday afternoon for all of us to enjoy...and Arkansas rarely gets snow! The weather was back into the upper 50's and low 60's the next day.

7) Seeing my sister live her everyday life...loving those around her in such a way that they know Jesus even if they don't yet KNOW him. She inspires me to forgive and love and share and LIVE! I can't thank her enough for being her and I'll never be able to thank God enough for her. She challenges me to walk my talk in ways that few others can. She's truly genuine. She introduced me to Casting Crowns awhile back (but it took me this long to catch on!)and had me in tears with this song...a new favorite of mine that I will gladly share.

8) Having the chance to "just be" with the Johnson family--hanging at the house, listening to stories, laughing our heads off. My sister let the kids stay home from school for a couple of the days we were there (she talked with the teachers about it) and wow what a blessing to be with them for that time!

I could list hundreds of moments, but I'll stop now for fear that this post will go into infinity! The only lowlight was Savannah got sick and we ended up in the ER getting her medicine and a chest x-ray to rule out walking pnemonia. The medicine worked quickly and the x-ray was clear and we were on our way home...to God be the glory!

All in all, I'm actually experiencing some "depression" since coming home...I wish we loved closer to one another. I miss her and Jay and the kids incredibly more now that we've spent time together. It always works that way. But I'm thankful for the time we do get to spend together nonetheless! I never imagined that Shelli and I would have the relationship that we do considering our family saga, but I am humbled every time we talk or get together at the amazing work of God in our relationship and in our lives. I value our relationship so highly. And I value Jay, Hannah, Elle, and Leighton so much because I know all too well that I may never have known them as I do now...and I would have missed out on SO many blessings in my life without them.

Did I mention that we had a GREAT time?!?!