I Have A New Cousin!!

My Aunt Debbie (Mom's youngest sister) and her husband Curt welcomed their baby boy, Thomas Blake, to the world early yesterday morning (we're not sure if he was born before or after midnight so he might be a Halloween baby!). Some of you know that Aunt Debbie had been in the hospital for about 2 weeks due to high blood pressure and concerns over the baby's oxygen levels. Sometime Friday evening, his heartbeat became irregular so her doctor decided that it was time to let little Thomas out. Aunt Debbie did have a c-section so as to prevent any further strain on Thomas. He weighed 3 lbs., 14 oz. Tiny, but not as small as other babies who have grown up big and strong. He wasn't due until Christmas Eve, but Aunt Debbie had been given the steriod shots to develop Thomas' lungs as the doctors knew he would come early, just not sure how early. My mom told me that he was on a respirator early Saturday morning, but as of lunchtime yesterday, he no longer needed it.

Thank you for praying for Debbie to recover from the c-section and the stress of the pregnancy, for Curt to provide emotional support for Debbie, and for baby Thomas to continue growing stronger each day. Also, if you would remember my Mom. She will be driving to Aunt Debbie's house (30 minutes away) for a while to drive Debbie to the hospital to visit Thomas (I'm not sure how long he will stay there). Mom doesn't like driving on the highway too much but that's the way to Debbie's house.

On top of the exciting stress surrounding Thomas' arrival (including a mural Mom has been working on at Aunt Debbie's house), Mom's good friend Cindy passed away yesterday. Mom was introduced to Cindy by a mutual friend. Mom and Cindy had the same type of cancer (Cindy diagnosed just 6 months after Mom) and so they traveled that horrific road together. Unfortunately, Cindy's cancer returned and spread from her liver to her bones and we think most recently to her brain. Today, Cindy is without pain and has been given her new, perfect, eternal body. She has met JESUS!!! Obviously, Mom is heartsick missing her friend, but I know despite her own grief, she feels relief for Cindy who struggled for so long.

We appreciate so much your prayers for this joyful yet painful time.