Let the Sunshine In

Thank you to the Simmons for the wonderful gifts. You made our day. We love you all so much!

Missing Him

It is Sunday...I am super tired. I miss my husband and best friend. He is not here to pop up and sing to us each morning.

Jim has been in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit since Thursday. He has been feeling rough for several weeks. He was put into UAB because the doctors thought he might have an infection. All the cultures at this time continue to come back negative. The doctors are concerned that his heart is just that much weaker.

He is not able to walk the halls at the hospital. He used to be called the marathon man because he would walk and walk and walk. Now he does two laps around his tiny floor and attempts to do a third...then he has to lay down immediately.

My heart feels like it is literally breaking inside me. I have able to see him each day but I am staying the night at home with the children. They are taking this hard. Friday night they both cried themselves to sleep.

Dr. Tallaj did a special blood test this morning and found out that his oxygen level coming from his heart is a 50...they want him to be a 70. They increased his IV meds and will see what happens from there. This med again is very beneficial but once you increase it...it takes time off your life expectancy. You can either suffer and live longer OR feel better and not live as long. This is the 4th time this medicine has been increased. So you can see that Jim's time is fleeting. Please pray for him and us as well.

I can't tell you how much your phone calls and hugs have meant. Thanks to the Harris family for helping with Cameron and for the wonderful breakfast. Thanks to Amy for taking care of Bella. Thanks to the Goodwin's for going to GA for us and for helping with Julianna. Thanks to Doyle for helping us with our yard. Thanks to the Nichols for the gas money. Thanks to the Simmons for the Sunshine box. Thanks to the McClures for the financial gifts. Our church family at Ironaton and the Murrells for all their help. I know I have left some of you out but this is what my tired mind can think of right now.

God is good...all the time...in every place.

Thank you God for one more day.

Hat Day!

I am so thankful to have such beautiful and healthy children. They both love the Lord. Julianna is constantly inviting friends to church and is a great Bible student. Cameron writes me notes that say "I love God and Mommy."They have their strengths and struggles but I feel so blessed each day to have them in my life.

My "hat" is off to you.

More than Tired

Jim has been feeling more than rough the past few days. He is having trouble with shortness of breath and shooting pains whenever he moves more than a couple of feet. His doctors said this was because his heart is continually getting weaker and it can not adequately supply the body with the blood flow that it needs.

When you see Jim, he looks great. But if you watch him, really watch him. He is having to lean against walls more, he is having to concentrate on breathing...he is more than tired.

He is gone to the Advanced Heart Failure group today for a check-up. His mother took him so I could teach my classes. I hope and pray that he tells them everything that has been going on. You know Jim, he doesn't want to speak up and tell how he really feels. For those of you at the Ironaton church of Christ, you can notice that he took himself off of the prayer list. It is not that he doesn't want and need prayers...that is just his way of saying "I will be okay."

Please count your blessings. So many of us think that getting out of the bed is no big thing...or running and playing with our kids. You are blessed.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. TODAY I WILL THANK YOU FOR THAT!

Thank you God for one more day.

ROLL on Jim!

Can you imagine, my husband, has never been to an Alabama ball game? His dad, John Murrell, is a graduate of the university. Jim has always been an Alabama fan. But he has never stepped foot into the stadium.
I have been trying for months to get a way in with Mal Moore and Linda Leoni. I was unaware of the health problems that Mr. Moore was facing. I didn't get a response. So I continued to keep it in the back of my mind.

Then Jim mentioned going to the A day game. I thought that would be great. That's when Jim's health declined and he started feeling worse and worse. So I thought that was not going to happen.

Come Saturday, April 20th, Jim wakes up having a good day and we decide to go to Tuscaloosa. After several tries to find a handicap parking space a special policemen allowed us to park right in front of the stadium. Of course, we have to have a dog sniff our car...which the kids loved. Then we had a short walk to a set of elevators that put us out at the perfect place. Jim got to reserve his energy for the game. He got chill bumps several times throughout the day and showed them to me. He was smiling from ear to ear.
I want to thank God for allowing him to have a good day and for allowing us to be safe. Thank you for all the special people that helped make that day special and made us feel at home. Thank you God for one more day.
ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Save My Daddy

Birthday Week- Camo's Concussion

We have been in and out of the hospital or doctor’s office every week but one since Christmas. That one week I had two flare ups. To say the last few months have been hard would be a HUGE understatement. What can you do for me? PRAY. Pray for us daily. Take one minute and ask God to give us courage and strength to continue to endure these trials.

I just gave midterms and spring break is around the corner. I need a break in every sense of the word. I pray that we will stay well and be able to enjoy that week.

Right now, Julianna and Cameron are having sinus problems. I am having several flare ups and Jim stated that he was not feeling well at all tonight. We already have 2 doctors’ appointments this week. Hope things get better.

By the way, if you don’t already know. Cameron received a concussion from a nasty fall in PE on Wednesday, March 6^th. We had to rush him to the hospital. He was vomiting and couldn’t stay awake. It was so scary. He is doing better. He is still having headaches and goes for an MRI next week.

We have a BIG week of birthdays this week. Jim will turn 38 on Tuesday and Cameron will be 7 this week. So excited for Jim to see another birthday. Cameron is loving birthdays more and more each year.

Julianna is thriving. She had her first drama performance this past week. They did some Dr. Seuss books. I am so glad that she is enjoying so many of the various activities at school. I am the MOST proud of Julianna for calling or walking to her friends’ houses and inviting them to church, youth devos…you name it she is busy trying to others involved. She is always telling me that she invites people at school and several of them have been able to come to a service here and there or a youth devo. I  AM SO PROUD!

We are so humbled by the continuous cards, phone calls, e-mails and especially the financial gifts to help with the increasing costs to care for Jim. We pray that through our faithful service to HIM we can be a light to others through these trying times. Please pray for us. Please become an organ donor. Thank you and may God get the glory in all things.