Heavy Hearted Today

Today my heart is heavy with sadness over the loss of a precious and perfect soul, baby Kate.  Baby Kate, if you remember, is the daughter of my high school classmate Amanda.  Baby Kate is just two months old and in those two months she has received TWO liver transplants.  Kate was born healthy but soon a virus invaded her body and she was in critical need of a new liver.  She received her first liver just a few weeks after she was born, but it failed her.  Then, she received another miracle in the form of a second liver transplant, about two weeks ago.  Things were going perfectly and Kate was thriving.  She was even able to nurse for the first time yesterday, which was a huge blessing to her Mommy and also a great testimony of how far she has come.  I woke up this morning to find out that sometime during the night things took a turn and Kate died in the early hours of this morning.  Apparently there was some internal bleeding that unexpectedly began and could not be stopped.  My heart breaks for "Kate the Great", her parents and her two older siblings.  It's so hard to understand why things like this happen and in reality, we probably never will.  But God's ways are not our ways.  His thoughts are not our thoughts.  His timing is perfect and His plans are flawless.  Kate's story and the faithfulness of her parents have touched thousands in the short two months that Kate was on this Earth.  I am honored to have been able to pray for baby Kate and to watch her miraculous strength as she fought hard for the past two months.  Kate is now healed and whole and her sweet little scarred body has been made new.  But still, my heart aches for her.

This picture was taken less than 24 hours ago, when things seemed to be going so well for Kate

And this one was taken just a few hours later, as Kate's family said goodbye to her

My heart is also heavy because today marks 6 months since I lost my precious Granddaddy.  In some ways it seems like just yesterday but in others it seems like ages since I've heard his voice and seen his smile.  Oh how I wish he was still here to see how much things have changed since he left.  This sweet man tried over and over again with great sincerity to give me his liver, all the while never knowing his own liver was unexpectedly being overtaken by cancer.  Again, we may never understand the "why" but I am reminded once more that we must trust in a greater plan.

On a happier note, my life-long friend Erin surprised me yesterday when she set up a GoFundMe account in my honor.  All funds raised go directly towards PSC research, which is very near and dear to my heart.  I know that someday there WILL be a cure for PSC and I will advocate for that as long as I'm able!  Here is the link to the fund Erin set up.  I was amazed yesterday that in less than three hours, half of her goal was already met and as of right now we are only about $65 from it being complete!  WOW!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU to those of you who gave!  It makes my heart happy to see this type of support for something that means so much to me!

AA's GoFundMe webpage

Speaking of things I'm passionate about, I will say again that April is National Donate Life month.  Please, I beg of you to prayerfully consider becoming an organ donor if you aren't one already.  I'm sharing a quote by my sweet friend Nancy Burke, who received the gift of life through a heart transplant almost 25 years ago.  I've known her my entire life but never imagined we would have this in common someday.  Just let these words sink in.........

"No one would take a plate of food outside and throw it away while a starving neighbor watched.  Please don't bury what you can no longer use when it could save so many lives."

And now, a few pictures and even a video to lift your spirits!

This past Saturday we enjoyed a great family day, starting off with some sweet morning snuggles when the little Miss came bouncing into our room bright and early

Kyndall and I spent the day crafting together, which is by far her favorite thing to do!  Forget the toys and games....give this girl some paint, scissors, markers and glue and she is in Heaven!

We made this burlap wreath for our front door together

We also put out the rest of our Easter decorations and set the table

We did some shopping for new summer clothes, since I'm not sure whether or not I'll be here to do it in a few weeks when it finally gets warm!

First (of many!!) swimsuits of the season!!  Y'all know I have a slight obsession with those itty bitty little girls' swimsuits!  She had one very similar to this last year but I loved it so much I bought another!

Yesterday I devoted almost my entire day to doing something I've been meaning to do for several weeks.  This new standing on the transplant list has increased my urgency to get it done, so yesterday I finally marked it off my to do list!  

This is a binder filled with page after page of information about everything anyone could ever need to know when it comes to taking care of Kyndall, our home and even our dogs.  Since we aren't sure exactly how the details will unfold and who will be here to tend to things, I set up this fool proof folder detailing everything from important dates to remember, Kyndall's weekly schedule, what she likes to eat, how to set our house alarm, when the dogs' monthly heart work meds are due to be given, emergency contact information, health insurance information, etc.!  I think I covered it all!  I even included checks for Kyndall's school and ballet tuition, just in case I'm not here to drop them off myself when they come due.  I hope that whoever comes into our home and takes over will find this folder helpful.  It surely eased my own mind knowing it's all written down and here for the taking!!  

And now, for something to really make you smile!  I've been working a little more diligently to get Kyndall to memorize scripture.  She is truly like a sponge and retains things so well that this is the perfect age to begin saturating her little mind with God's word.  As you will see, she is quite passionate about it!  She added in the arm gestures all on her own!  My very own little Beth Moore in the making, perhaps??  I'd love nothing more!