Family

i love my family ... the endDecember 2009

Nattybelle

So, Natty is recovering so well! She has been moved twice. She went from the PICU, to the step down PICU and now to a regular room.

I had the amazing opportunity to surprise my family in California with a visit. A sweet friend helped me get there and I am so very grateful. I was able to spend a lot of time with Michele and Natalie and help with her care while I was there. I took several pictures, but I do not have permission to post any yet.

Last I heard, Natalie was eating and drinking. She had her feeding tube removed and may be able to come home Friday, tomorrow! She's been there for almost 4 weeks! She slept right through Christmas and New Years. She'll still have Christmas, her very own.

We are so thankful for all of the prayers, fasting, meals, messages, phone calls, text messages, etc. The Wilcut family especially has felt so loved and are humbled at the outpouring of support in many ways.

Stephanie

Natalie

Daphne, Natalie and Allison

December '09

So little Natalie had made remarkable improvements and was taken off of the ventilator at about noon on Friday, 01.01.10 only to be put back on the ventilator later that evening. Michele's heart is broken after watching Natalie struggle for a while and then starting the whole process over again by Natalie being intubated once again.

As a family, we have felt the power of your love, concern and especially your fasting and prayers. Tomorrow is Fast Sunday, will you please continue to pray for Natalie and her family and remember them in your fast?

Thank you!

Lots of love and hope...

Stephanie

Little Natalie - Prayers Requested

Natty's hand 12.21.09

Little Natalie Wilcut, my sister Michele's youngest daughter who is 4 years old, is in the PICU at CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County). She has been there since Saturday night. We know she has pneumonia, but are thinking there must be another viral or bacterial infection which has caused her so much trouble. She is currently on a ventilator which is giving her lungs a break at working on their own. It looks like she will be there at least through Christmas. Michele has great comfort and confidence in the doctors, nurses and other medical staff working on behalf on Natty.

Saturday the 19th of December, she became ill very quickly. Michele gave her a couple of breathing treatments during the day which didn't help much. Once her fever reached 103 and Michele could see that Natalie was struggling to catch her breath, Michele decided to take her in to Urgent Care. The doctor there decided she was too sick for their facility and sent her accross the parking lot to the ER. In the ER, she was intubated and had a few tests run. From there she was transported by ambulance to CHOC where she remains sedated, intubated, and hooked up to numerous monitors, with tubes going in various body parts and is undergoing continuous testing.

Yesterday, the 21st, Natalie was showing little signs of impovement. Some test results have come back negative, they are still waiting for more results to come in.

Michele has felt the power of the prayers being offered on their behalf. She is humbled and greateful for your love and support. She knows Natalie is receiving THE BEST care possible and that everyone there is working to get her better. Her spirits are good for the most part. She is comforted and feels our Heavenly Father's spirit with her and her family.

Thank you for those who have been praying and will now pray for little Natalies recovery and for your all of love, well wishes and concern.

I will post again as I am given any major changes.

hello...?

I will be blogging again soon... stay tuned.

Pioneer Day Fun

Chris - A great catch

Here are a few pictures from my mom, brother Tony, and Calee's visit from Cali. Ryan joined us on a couple of the days they were here. We had so much fun with them!

Karley on the giant water slide

Fireman's Foam!

Bobby & the fishin' gang!

Fishing on Logan River

Haley, Tony

Karley, Calee, Chandler

Bella, My Mommy

Danielle

Calee, Karley & Danielle

Tony, Ryan & Bobby waiting for dark and the amazing fireworks!

Look closely at the pic above, you'll see a stow-away.

After our family prayer before they left to go home, we all went outside to see them off. We couldn't find Snickers. She was in their car, hoping to catch a ride back with them! We were cracking up! It took a while to finally get her out. So funny! See, my mom brought her dog Bella, a chihuahua/poodle mix. She and Snickers are buds now and Bella gets to go on car rides and Snickers loves my mom so she must have decided she was going this time.

Still not wanting to get out.

And they're off...

I DID IT!!!

The hottie to my left is Calee, my brother Tony's wife. Bobby took this pic as we were passing my house early in the run.

On July 25th, 2009 I ran and finished my first 10K, with my adorable sister-in-law Calee by my side. I set a personal goal, a lofty one for me, once I had been running for a while, to run the 10K on the morning of our city's Pioneer Day celebration. I did it! It took me a long time and it wasn't fun, but I did it! Bobby, my mom, Tony and Haley were all there for us at the finish line and I could hardly hold back the tears as we approached the end.

I'm so excited that I stuck with training for it when I seriously didn't know at times if I could actually accomplish the task. For me, it's been so nice to run alone where I'm not worried about holding anyone back or carrying on a conversation. This has been so nice to just go with no interruptions. As I have been working towards this, I could tell I was making progress along the way when I no longer had to carry a water bottle to sip on every 1/4 mile; when I could talk a little when running with a partner and not die; not stop to catch my breath; and listen to soothing music rather than motivating, blaring music.

I challenge any and all who read this post to set a goal and go for it. Don't even think about quitting! I'm so much better for it, and if I can do it, you can too!

On to my next goal, a mini-tri next Spring...