Baby Bowen

Recently, I learned that one of the women I have looked up to since I was a teenager was pregnant. (That makes her sound "old". but she isn't-she's only a few years older than me.) I just found out that she went into early labor at the end of January and had sweet baby Bowen 12 weeks early.
She and her husband have created a CaringBridge page to stay updated but she has been so busy (as any mom who has had a baby in the NICU can relate to) and has only been able to update a few times. Sweet baby boy has had his good days and his not so good days. He has grown some but is still struggling and needs some prayers. If you could please take a moment and lift up Baby B and his mommy and daddy right now, I know it would be greatly appreciated. I know that his blood gas levels are a prayer request as well as gas in his belly from his C PAP and also his PDA.
Baby Bowen, though I haven't met him yet, is a precious new life that I am absolutely in love with already and hope that you will take a minute to lift him up to God in your thoughts and prayers today.

My Heart Aches

My heart is aching right now for a precious little boy and his mommy. Tripp Roth is suffering from a terrible, painful disease, E.B. I do not know much about it at all, nor am I claiming to. I have been following Courtney Roth's blog for a long time as she writes about the journey she has taken with Tripp as he fights a very painful battle. Tripp's skin is very fragile and he has very painful sores and blisters all over him. A single touch can be detrimental. How heartbreaking that much be for Courtney. Tripp has also had a trach in for a long time and his mommy doesn't even know what his cry sounds like, much less what it sounds like for him to say mommy.
Tripp has touched so many people's lives in his few short years on this planet, especially mine. I am finding myself sobbing right now trying to relate to Courtney and knowing I cant. Part of me doesn't want to be able to relate, to have to watch my baby suffer...and I feel guilty for that, though I know it is a human response. I hold Ryder so close to me, not wanting to let go. Hearing him fuss doesn't irritate me like it could. I am so grateful to be able to hear him fuss, cry, laugh, and babble.
Courtney has a strength and faith in God that I admire so much, though I know she is dying inside and would give anything to trade places with baby Tripp. But she knows that God has a plan for her and her sweet boy.
Her latest blog update is not a "good" one. It seems as though Tripp is starting to get tired of fighting and might not be with his mommy much longer. I cannot imagine what Courtney is feeling or thinking. Her blog says she knows that Heaven will be so much better for Tripp...No more sorrow, no more pain...but that doesn't make losing him any easier.
I am writing today to ask you to stop for a moment and send a quick prayer up for Tripp. Pray that God will give comfort to Tripp and peace. That his remaining time with his mommy and other loved family members is one that they will be able to cling to in these coming days.
If you have a moment, please read Courtney's blog and look through the pictures and even google E.B.
Courtney-You are amazing and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and that precious baby boy that you gave life to!!!!
Tripp's Story
The following pictures are from Courtney's blog and are of that sweet baby that I hope you will pray for

She's A Fighter

In this holiday season, sometimes it's easy to get lost in what it is all about. Christmas is not about Santa or presents or even turkey. Honestly, I don't think it's really about family, either. It's about a baby that was born to come and die for the people on this Earth that he loved so that they may have a chance to spend eternity with him..."no more sorrow, no more pain." I hope we all remember how amazingly blessed we are this Christmas.
As we meet with our families and eat this Christmas and celebrate this new year coming, I ask you to remember and pray for a high school friend of mine. I have not really kept in touch with her but I am following her on Facebook and I would like to ask you to pray for her and her healing. A few years ago, Teri was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. If you don't know about this, Google it. It has been completely debilitating and my heart aches for Teri. She is such a fighter. She is currently in the D.R. receiving some intense treatment. This past Thanksgiving, she was able to sit and eat with her family for Thanksgiving after not being able to for years (this is what I read on her FB).
If you could, as you talk to our Father tonight, or multiple nights please, ask for His will for Teri. Ask for healing and strength and understanding and patience.
God has a purpose for her and I am more than certain that she has been able to bring so many people to know him through her story. She is such a Godly, strong, wonderful woman and I am thankful to say that I have known her.

(These are all taken from her Facebook from, I believe, before she was diagnosed-what a beautiful girl-she still is!)

"This too shall pass"