PRAISE GOD!!!!

I have NEVER felt the presence of God as much as I have this past month. Yesterday Kristen called me at work because she has talked to the doctor about the next steps for Jack. The type of tumor Jack has does not require chemo....I am going to say this again THE TYPE OF TUMOR JACK HAS...DOES NOT REQUIRE CHEMO!!!!!!!

I am amazed. Last week the doctor told them he would most likely have to go through treatment and this week nothing! The doctor still wants to monitor Jack by having an MRI every 3 months the first year. I hope the doctor is absolutely amazed by the boldness of God! I am!


All I can say is WOW.

Prayer Request

Ok prayer warriors I have several this week.

#1 - Baby Jack
As most of you know Jack is the son of dear friends of ours, Kristen and George. They successfully removed a tumor from his head a couple of weeks ago, PRAISE GOD! He is feeling great and keeping his parents busy. However, last week they found out the tumor was cancerous and are waiting to find out how to treat it. They will hopefully find out Tuesday of this week. Please pray for God to be BIG and that Jack does not have to endure chemo or radiation. We need total healing prayers!!!!

#2 - Happy Feet Extreme
A group of men from our church are going on a mission trip called Happy Feet Extreme. They travel to extreme parts of Ecuador and/or Honduras to wash the feet of children, provide them with shoes and tell them about our Savior. What an awesome mission! Please pray for their safety for that they bring 1000 of children and adults to know Christ

#3 - Divorce
One of our family members is going through a divorce right now. As most are this is a hard situation. Please pray that they act like grown ups. There is a child involved. We all know that sometimes adults act ridiculous during divorce.

Thank you once again for your prayers. I totally believe this is what gets me through the day and helps to heal the un-healable. Love always!

...and we're off

My 9 month 2 1/2 week old is now walking. The night before last he was laying on the rug in the living room drinking his bottle. I was in the kitchen cooking dinner, turned to check on him and he was almost in the kitchen. I almost screamed! I really stopped breathing for a moment. I didn't know he knew how to get up off the floor. When he saw that I was looking at him he started laughing and fell down. What a great moment. Too bad I didn't have the video camera on :)

Jack Update

I just spoke with Jack's dad, George, and they are going home today after lunch!!! WOW!!On Tuesday he had major surgery and on Friday he gets to go home. What a miracle!

The results from the MRI were good. There is still a small spot on the brain but they are just going to watch it closely. The doctor does not feel the need for more surgery.

Please continue to pray for Jack as he goes through the heeling process. Pray for his parents that they are able to rest. Pray for big sis Emma (4 yrs old) that she can understand what is going on.

Thanks again to all my prayer warriors. Jack's progress is a result from the power of prayer and how Big God is!!!!

Jack Update

Thank you for prayers. As of last night Jack was doing great. They should get the results from the MRI today and hopefully move from PICU to a room. Please continue to pray for his parents George and Kristen. They need rest! Sleeping in a PICU waiting room is no fun.

I will keep you posted on about our little man Jack. GOD IS GOOD!!!

PRAY FOR JACK

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray for this little guy. He and his family are very special to Jon and I. This is Jack Burttram and he is 14 months old. Last night his parents took him to the emergency room because of vomiting. They found out early this morning that he had a tumor on his brain.

This is the information that I received from our pastor's wife this morning....

"Jack is currently resting in ICU at Children's Hospital of Alabama. George and Kristen met with the neurosurgeon this morning and were faced with this information. Let me give you the information and then guide you on how to pray.

This afternoon they are going to perform an MRI to better locate and understand the mass. Surgery is being scheduled for tomorrow. Jack is currently experiencing hydrocephalitis (?sp?) which is fluid on the brain because of the mass or masses I should say. He has a rather large fluid filled cyst on the right temporal lobe and there is also a tumor on that same lobe. The cyst is causing the majority of the pressure and the fluid to surround the brain. This fluid and swelling is not allowing spinal fluid to drain and flow properly and that is what is causing the vomiting along with other malfunctions (lethargy, etc.). The surgery is going to be an effort to remove both the cyst and the tumor. Best case scenario is the removal of both providing relief for Jack and return to regular development for a 14 month old as the fluid begins to flow correctly again. Other scenarios that could occur, the "restart" of the proper fluid flowing through the brain could cause stroke like symptoms and possible damage. This damage would require additional surgery.

So as you pray, pray for Jack during the MRI today as he will have to be restrained and still for the pictures. Pray for sleep through this procedure so that Mommy will not have to watch him panic. Pray for the MRI to be clear so that the doctors will have a clear picture of what they are actually dealing with on such a tiny patient. Pray for rest for the doctor tonight so that his hands will be steady as he performs a delicate and complicated procedure. Pray for rest for George and Kristen as they await the upcoming procedure and watch their child helplessly. Pray for the two masses. Pray they shrink to where the fluid begins to flow again and the stroke like symptoms will not be a worry. Pray for a 100% successful removal of the two masses leaving Jack a healthy and happy baby. Pray for the cyst not to rupture now or during surgery. Pray for the anesthesiologist to administer the right amount of medication for Jack. Pray for the nurses to love him like their own. Pray for the entire family as they wait. Waiting is the hardest part of this as many of you have experienced first hand. Pray for their patience with each other and with other people. Pray for compassion. Pray for wisdom. Pray for a MIRACLE! Pray!"


Again, PLEASE PLEASE pray for this precious child.

Happy Halloween

Pumpkin Patch and MORE TEETH!

Last weekend Jon and I took Blake to the Pumpkin Patch in Hayden. Blake had a blast! He liked the hay ride and playing with his pumpkin.

We also have another tooth! His second tooth came through yesterday. It is on the bottom front right, beside the first tooth.

I will post more pictures on Friday with him in his Halloween costume. Stay tuned :)

Too Fast

My baby is changing too too fast. Here is what happened this month

• On the 10th of this month he said Da-Da for the first time. Jon was so excited.
• On the 16th of this month he woke us up at 4am saying Bo-Bo. Bo is Mrs.Woodard dog. She keeps Blake while I am at work.
• On the morning of the 19th his first tooth came in
• The night of the 19th he took his first steps and stood on his own (he doesn't want to crawl)
• On the 23rd he clapped his hands and said YEAH
• On the 23rd he copied my arm movements when I said WARRRRRRR EAGLE! (That made me the most proud!!!)

I love watching him change but at the same time I am sad because my baby is growing up.

HOOTERS

Just wanted to share a picture of Blake at his first trip to HOOTERS. Jon was so proud to take this picture:)

Second First Date

On Saturday Jon and I went on our Second First Date to the Auburn v Tennessee game in Auburn. It was fitting to for the date to be in Auburn because that is where we met. It was the first time we have been anywhere together without Blake since he was born (8 months ago). Blake stayed with his Granny, Papa, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Deborah, Luke and Breanna. I think they were all worn out after the day was over!

Jon and I had a blast tailgating with our friends Tracy and Sammy Teel and Charles and Rita Huey. It felt really weird being without Blake. I know I drove my parents crazy calling so much. When we arrived at my parents house I just knew Blake would be so glad to see his mommy and daddy. Instead he just looked at us like "what are you doing here?"

Many thanks to my family for taking care of Blake on Saturday. It was a group effort :)

Palisades Park

A couple of Sunday's ago we decided to go to Palisades Park in Oneonta after church. Blake and I have never been this park and Jon loves it. The weather was perfect and what a beautiful view! Enjoy the pictures.

Blake& Luke's First AU Game

Jon and I took Blake and Luke to their first Auburn football game on August 30th. Jon and Luke
went into the game. Blake and I just tailgated and then went to a friends appartment (thanks Austin!).

Luke had a blast. He is playing Jr. High football this year for Alexander City Middle school. I can't believe my sweet little nephew is in the 7th grade. I am getting soooo old!!!

Here are a few pictures of the trip. Enjoy!!

Pictures

Check out Blake's 6 month pictures. Click the link below

http://www.bluemoonalabama.com/clientphotos/galloway9aug08/index.htm

WAR EAGLE

24 more days till AU football

Father's Day

What a great Father's Day weekend we had. It had been almost 6 weeks since I had seen my parents because of my mom's illness (She had open heart surgery then developed a staph infection; didn't want Blake to get sick) so the visit was long overdue. We drove down Friday night and stayed until Sunday. My parents really enjoyed Blake! My dad had him laughing to the point of crying. It was sooo funny!!!

On Saturday night we went to my brothers new house to eat dinner. Jeff and Deborah cooked an awesome meal. I am happy that my mom finally had the energy to get out of the house. She has had a very trying few months. I want to give a big THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU to my dad. He has taken very good care of my mother during this time. He now cooks, cleans and looks after her every need. This is a HUGE change for him. He is use to her waiting on him hand and foot.

I thought this picture of my parents and their grand kids was a great picture.

Blake also went swimming in their pool Saturday afternoon. Mom came outside and watched for a little while. Sitting up is still a little uncomfortable for her. Blake really enjoyed the pool.

As I mentioned I have not seen my parents in a while and I had not seen Luke and Breanna since then either. WOW how they are growing up. IT HURTS! Especially Luke. He is 12 and prefers his friends and girls over us....yes it breaks my heart but I can remember being his age. He is so cute! I really don't like this growing up stuff :(

This was also Jon's first Father's Day. Happy Father's Day Jon and Dad!!!

YUMMY!!!

Last Friday (May 30) Blake had his 4 month checkup and shots. Dr. Hale (his pediatrician) said it was time to start 'Big Boy' on cereal. So Blake and I went to Wal-Mart after the doctor's visit and bought him baby oatmeal and rice cereal. That night Jon and I gave him his first taste of real food. Of course he loved it!! You can tell by the mess on his face

.

I thought I would add a picture of little Jon pitching a fit. Too much like his daddy :)

First Blog

I finally have the time to post my first blog. I have had this site for months now but have not had the chance to post anything.

WOW, what a year for Jon and I. Here is a picture of us Easter Sunday. Which was also my 30th birthday. Nothing like being a new mother and turning 30 all in the same year. I still feel like I am in college and should be calling Jessica, Loredana and Crystal this afternoon to decide where we are going tonight. We had fun didn't we girls! I always thought nothing could be better than my college life. After all that is where I met my husband, Jon and we shared some of the best times at Auburn. All those feelings changed at 2:14pm on January 31st this year. That is when Blake Adam Galloway came into the world (after 3 hours of pushing). Jon and I have been so blessed to have this child and he is only 4 months old. He has now started to smile a lot and giggle. I finally got it on video and I will post it when I have time. He is trying to sit up by himself. His Grandma bought him a bouncy thing for him to stand in and play this past weekend. He loves it! He has also become addicted to Barney. I don't know what it is about Barney but Blake is amazed by him.

For those of you who prayed for my mother, our prayers were answered. She is at home now and doing much much better. It has been a long 2 months for her and she is happy to be home and in the process of healing :)