April 17, 2011

I received a text message from my sister Michele this afternoon that read: "Pam Hackworth said to tell you she's mad at you because you never update your blog! Ha ha ha! She wants to know what's happening in your life :) " So this is for Pam (I love you Pam!) and anyone else who may happen to read my almost non-existent blog. I have not had time to do hardly anything at all, much less blog. I had full intentions on posting every letter and picture that Elder Driessen sends us, but he has been out three months and I have yet to post one. (Big deep sigh...) I may just need to start from now and someday go back and post the first three months. Elder Driessen is doing extremely well! I LOVE being a missionary mom! It's THE best thing ever! I wish every mommy and daddy could experience this. It truly is so rewarding and the blessings are beautiful. As some of you may know, I started working full-time just over a year ago. Bobby's health was not allowing him to work full-time and he needed to be home. With that, it became necessary for me to obtain full-time employment to provide medical benefits for our family and help us financially. I wish I could say I'm raking in the dough, but that is not even close to being the case. In fact, we aren't always able to completely take care of our own needs without some extra help. I am and will be eternally grateful for the help we have been receiving. This has been extremely difficult at times yet we recognize the countless blessings we continue to receive. As I mentioned, Christopher is currently serving a full-time mission. He is in the Peru, Lima West mission. He reported January 5th 2011. He LOVES being a missionary. He has THE BEST attitude EVER! He spent 3 weeks in the Provo, UT Missionary Training Center and then spent 6 weeks in the Lima, Peru MTC. He has lost approximately 30 lbs and continues to have some digestive issues, has been attacked by a stray dog, tried cow heart and hated it then had it again and loved it, and had someone attempt to rob him and some other crazy experiences, but loves his life anyway! Chandler attended his Jr prom last night. He looked amazing and had a great time. He is a blast to be around and has truly taken on the role of the oldest brother at home. Haley is playing soccer again and loves to bake and clean the kitchen! We love that! She's becoming more beautiful inside and out everyday. Karley is just beginning a soccer season and is currently practicing for May Day which is a little less than 3 weeks away. She has such a pure heart and loves serving others as does her older sis. Danielle is loving preschool. She is anxiously awaiting kindergarten this fall, except for the fact that she needs a few more immunizations :o( She struggles at times with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (at FIVE years old), but has made huge improvements since we sought professional help. She has a super fun personality as do all of her siblings. They each have such a great sense of humor! (They get that from their dad!) One of the blessings of Bobby being home for this past year is that he and our kids have grown closer. All 5 of them adore their daddy... almost as much as I adore him! He was also able to give full-time care to my sweet mother as she moved in with us to complete her breast cancer treatment. (She's doing wonderfully now and is finished with surgery, chemo and radiation! Woo hoo!!!) Bobby continues to serve in our ward's bishopric and I am teaching Gospel Doctrine. We both love our callings. I will post pictures in another post. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow. We'll see if my techno skills will co-operate with me. So far, I'm striking out! I hope to blog more often. Wish me luck :o) Ta-ta for now! Stephanie

Elder Chris Driessen: The Mission Call

Elder Chris Driessen: The Mission Call: "August 11, 2010 We received information that we would be receiving Christopher's mission call today, Wednesday, August 11th. Steph..."

Alive and Well

Hello?

Anyone there?

One of my favorite things to do with my Blackberry, is to read others' blogs. I really want to blog, but am apprehensive about telling what is really going on in my mind and in my life. Life is great, and I am grateful for it. I have such wonderful, fulfilling blessings in my life. I am trying my best to not be like Lot's wife in the Old Testament, when she 'looked back' at her life before and longed for the past.

Our family has it's challenges, but our blessings far outweigh our inconveniences. I'm continuing to learn how to view our adversities as blessings and to be thankful for my trials. I truly am thankful for my trials. I am a better person now than I was before things became difficult. I try not to look at others and wish I had what they have. I have what is most important and precious to me. I try daily, sometimes hourly, to keep an eternal perspective and stay focused on what really matters most.

Bobby's health is better. We have switched roles for now. He stopped working at the end of March and I began working full time so that our family can have medical benefits. Bobby plans on furthering his education so that he can once again work full time in an environment that will be better for his health (with NO fluorescent lighting!).

Christopher graduated high school at the end of May and is currently working and preparing to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are so excited and proud of him!!! He will submit his mission papers at the end of July.

Chandler is still the life of our daily family party, our home is too quiet when he isn't around. He is 16 and has his driver license. He's patiently waiting for us to be able to insure him so he can actually use it! He is SO close to being an Eagle Scout. He'll have it by the end of summer. Woo hoo!

Haley is playing soccer and is very good at it. She's an amazing help to Bobby and I and is the best big sister ever! Words can not express my gratitude for such a loving, caring young lady for a daughter. She is just as beautiful inside as she is outside.

Karley is loving summer vacation. She too is such a great big sis! She has such an infectious laugh! We love to watch and listen to her as she watches something funny on TV, she's awesome. She loves to crochet and has made purses, and lots of necklaces and bracelets. She too is very caring and super helpful.

Danielle is growing up too fast. She and Karley just completed two weeks of swimming lessons with THE best teacher ever! They both did so well. Danielle is such a huge, wonderful blessing to our family and we all absolutely adore her! She turns 5 this fall so she will be attending one more year of preschool before she is able to start kindergarten. More time with Daddy!

My mom is currently going through chemotherapy. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She had her first round of chemo last month and was terribly ill from it. She had surgery today where a port was placed near her clavicle. This port is where all chemo treatments will now be administered. She has starts her second round this Friday, the 9th.

Her good friend Claire shaved her head for her last week when her hair started to fall out. What a blessing Claire has been in her life! She and her family are true gifts from our Heavenly Father, I am eternally grateful for them.

My dad has been amazing during this entire process. It hurts him so much to see my mom so sick. He's a stud, and I am so proud of him.

Its extremely difficult living so far away. It makes my heart hurt so bad to not be there. My sweet husband took our three girls and is spending the week with my parents, helping where he can. I'm not sure if he is helping me or my parents more. I have such peace in my soul that he is there. I will have my turn to spend a week with my parents near the end of the month.

My dad's birthday is tomorrow, July 8th. Happy Birthday Dad. I love him and my mom so much!

Until next time...

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.