Please, Please Pray--1 More Update:-)

January 8 at 5:00 Eastern Time:

We just returned from the cardiologist. Eliza’s echo had no change and no signs of any infection. Her exam also showed no signs of any blood or heart infections. The cardiologist felt that most likely the blood they used for the culture was contaminated (like from the skin) as they d id not draw it properly (they took it from her IV line rather than a sterile direct blood draw). She said all indicators pointed towards a “ false alarm”.

Needless to say we are ecstatically relieved!!!

We are back to just being miserable with sinus infection/tonsillitis and the others with conjunctivitis. Miserable is quite lovely compared to terrified! (and yes, they called her in for the echo at 3:02) Thank you all ever so much for the prayer coverage during these harrowing few days.

With much love and gratitude,

Kimberlee

Update on January 8:

Kimberlee writes:

The ER called to tell us that Eliza’s blood cultures from Sunday are positive for strep. We are off right now to the cardiologist for an echocardiogram to make sure everything is okay. (the appt. is for 2:15 but the echo will probably be closer to 3 o’clock) Given her history of surgery and ongoing mitral leakage she is at risk for endocarditis (heart infection). We will then find out if she needs to be hospitalized for IV antibiotics or can continue on the oral. 

Thank you for all your prayers!

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At 11:30 this morning, Kimberlee sent me an email asking me to pray and to pass along her request for prayers. They were on their way to the Emergency Room with Eliza. I just got home and just got the message. That's all I know. I'll leave comments open so that you can leave updates if you have them. Update: Eliza went home late last night. After hours of testing, they determined that there is an area of abnormality in her knee. Doctors are a bit puzzled about her symptoms. There will be follow up tests this week. I'm sure Kimberlee will keep you posted. She is ever so grateful for your prayers..

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.          

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Jesus, I trust in you!

Beside my Bed

Jennifer asked what's on our nightstands. My "nightstand" is clear across the room, serving as a dresser for my baby. Next to my bed is a co-sleeper. At the foot of the co-sleeper is the table I think would interest Jennifer. There is a humidifier I'm using very little this winter. Our thermostats have been pushed all the way down and I'm very, very slow to ever turn them up. As a result we're freezing the heat rarely kicks on and the air doesn't require humidifying.I'm sure this is much healthier:-). The pretty book was a Christmas gift to my husband. It's a history of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Karoline was wearing the pink boots  as she fell asleep. They were a gift from her godmother and she never lets us remove them, so we have to wait until she's sleeping (though maybe she actually needs them what with the freezing buns and all;-).  The St. Therese candle smells amazing and fills the room with sweetness. Next to the candle is my medal necklace and a rosary bracelet. Karoline's current favorite trilogy is the boxed Eric Carle Very Little Library. Now for the basket:
Radical Hospitality
Dear Newlyweds
Noise
For the Love of Literature
Listen My Son
Real Food
It's All Too Much
January Magnificat
Night Prayer
Alrighty then, enough of that. I'm going to crawl under several layers of blankets, watch a basketball game directed by my beloved, and read one of those books. G'night!

Shameless Plug

HomeSchooling in High School as an Option?

If you have ever considered it, but had questions or concerns, here is your chance to learn more about those students who have homeschooled successfully through high school . . . find out how they did it and what they are  doing now.

Catholic Home School Alumni Panel
Saturday, January 5, 2008,
St. Timothy's Catholic Church
Multipurpose Room
13807 Poplar Tree Road
Chantilly, Va. 20151
3-5 pm

A team of accomplished Catholic Home Schoolers will answer your questions regarding their high school experiences, courses, extra curriculum, sports, social life,  transcripts, college applications, adjustment to college life (plus their inside scoop on the colleges) and much more! You will meet representatives from the University of Virginia, the United States Naval Academy, Christendom College, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Belmont Abbey College, Thomas Aquinas College, Duke University, Catholic University, and George Mason University, all of whom were home schooled through their high school years.

Refreshments will be served

For questions please contact Cathy Tulloch @ tlc4amaj@aol.com or  Kate Kampa @ khkampa@aol.com

Homemaking Inspiration

The winners are up at the Homeschool Blog Awards site. Hopefully, you had time early in the voting process to visit lots of those blogs and you've already added new inspiration and encouragement to your daily reading routine. Just want to add a quick caution: the winner of the Homemaking blog is horribly anti-Catholic. I think we all wish we'd caught this weeks ago. For now, don't go there unless you're really wanting to debate theology in the combox;-). And if you're looking for homemaking inspiration, you'll find plenty of it at the blogs linked on the righthand sidebar in the Real Learning blogroll. Catholic homemaking is a unique and beautiful vocation. We consider our families to be the Domestic Church and we try to live as the Holy Family did in that humble home of Mary's making.  Homemaking and homeschooling are challenging enough, particularly at this time of year--let's all be an encouragement to on another.Speaking of encouraging homemaking wisdom, have you seen Dawn's household archives, Kim's decorating genius and her generous sharing of planning pages, Danielle's Daily doses of Advent ideas, Kristen's and Suzanne's beautiful kitchen blog (and the fairs they've had there),Alice's wonderful watercolored wisdom, and the blessings in the cottage?

There is so much homemaking wisdom out there! Let's make each other aware of the positive.If you've got a favorite homemaking blog or post, be sure to share it on your blog.

This week in the Herald

As I write this column, there are two weeks until Christmas. My list        of “to-dos” is very, very long. It’s 5 a.m. and I’m already overwhelmed. But when you read this column, there will be less than a week until Christmas. And, God willing, every important thing on the “do ahead” list will be finished...Read the rest here.