Emilie has been home for 8 weeks!

Hi everybody!

Emilie has now been home for 8 weeks. She is doing very well. Her doctors have said that she has gotten stronger being at home and that being at home is very good for her. I think this is the first time I have actually agreed with the doctors. On Monday night, Emilie lifted her leg all by herself. She has also clapped her hands for the very first time last Friday. We have another appointment on October 30th. Everything has gone very well since she has been home. The only problems we have had was that Emilie had an ear infection about 2 or three weeks ago as well as the start of a chest infection. She wasn't sick enough to go back to Saskatoon, thank God, but was started on antibiotics right away. Please pray for her health. I don't want to see her back in the hospital unless it is for something good like trach mask trials or something like that. She has the beginnings of an ear infection again. Please pray for this. She isn't on antibiotics because it was only slightly red, but she is continuing to play with it so we may have to take a trip to ER this weekend to get it looked at. thanks for all your prayers and continued support. I will post some pictures soon. I do post pictures regularly on Facebook as well as videos.

Later!!

Sherri

EMILIE IS HOME TO STAY!!

Here are pictures of Emilie's farewell party and her first couple of hours at home today (Aug 15th, 2007). I just thank God for answering the prayers of all of our family and friends in making everything happen to bring Emilie home. We also thank each one of you for your prayers as well. Without God and your prayers she wouldn't be here. Enjoy the pictures!!

EXTREME PRAISE REPORT - OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED!!!

Hi everybody!!

We were approved for the maximum amount of funding for individualized funding. It covers just over 5 nights a week. Darwin, my mom, and I will have to cover the weekends. I couldn't believe my ears when I checked my messages on Sunday morning.

Today (Aug 1st) we received some more good news. EMILIE CAN COME HOME AS EARLY AS AUGUST 10TH. We still need some of our supplies like our home oxygen and feeding pump as well as we need the people who will work with Emilie to train in CPR and a small training at the hospital.....so as soon as that can be arranged she will be home. PRAISE JESUS!! God is so good. He definitely answers prayer. On that note, please don't stop praying for her. God has given her a purpose. Please pray for her as she fulfills that purpose on her life. As well, continue to pray for healing. Her healing would be such a great testimony to the lost.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us, will support us, and is supporting us. Jesus is our priority and only He knows what is wrong with Emilie and how to fix it.

Love,

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor, and especially Emilie:0)

Error

Emilie's first night home was July 24th not June 24th. Sorry!!

Emilie's First Night Home.......EVER!!!

Hello everybody!! Just to update you a bit...Emilie spent her first night at home, in her own room on June 24, 2007. Praise the Lord!! We got home rather late that night because I took three of my 10,11 and 12 students to the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan. Emilie slept most of the way home and barely stirred when we took her inside. Taylor was staying with Grandma because we anticipated the late return.
In the morning when I woke Em, she looked at me and went back to sleep. Then when she did wake up she looked a little lost. I explained to her where she was and that we were at her house and she was in her room. Shortly after, she was fine. I did her physio and range of motion, gave her a suction and her feed. She fell asleep while she was having her feed. I woke her up again at 10 because home care was coming for a meeting.
Our meeting went great. We are approved, but just waiting for a confirmation from the managers before we can bring her home. Pray for the timing. We are hoping to have her home to do some training before school starts, but are trusting that this will all happen when GOD wants it too. Everything has happened in his perfect timing.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. Darwin's mom and dad showed up just before I was going to leave to bring her back to Saskatoon so we stayed a little longer. Had everything done so that when we got back to the hospital all she needed was her last feed. ENJOY!!

Thanks for all your prayers and support again. I pray that God will richly bless those who have shown us any kind of prayer support and continue to do so. PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens.

Love,

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor, and especially Emilie.

EMILIE'S DEDICATION

Hi everybody!!

Emilie was dedicated on June 24th at Lawson Heights Pentecostal. Here are some pictures of the dedication. Also, something else important happened the night before (the 23rd). We had her overnight for the first time and things went great!! This is just one more step closer to bringing her home. Also, my mom and I took her for the night on July 1st as well. She went to see the fireworks and she was really interested in them.

Our homecare meeting on June 28th was cancelled due to the pending strike, but they told me not to worry it's going to happen - PRAISE GOD!!

Please continue praying for Emilie's health. She was running a fever, but I believe it to be just a small cold - it didn't last very long. Darwin, Taylor and I are taking off for BC in a couple of hours for a short holiday. We wish we could take Em, but maybe next year. Pray that her home oxygen situation will get sorted out etc. Thanks everyone!! Each one of you is special to us and we thank God for all of you that are praying for Em's healing - He's doing it!! Little by little she is beginning to move more and more. Thanks to all of you especially God!!

EMILIE CAME HOME - JUNE 11TH!! -just for the day:)

I apologize for the shape of my yard. We are never home to really take care of it.
We all just look thrilled!! We were pretty tired. Taylor didn't want to sit still (what else is new?)
Emilie just took in everything. She just looked and looked and looked.
Just lounging at HOME!! Yay!! Finally!! Very long awaited!!
(I love my sister!! I cried and cried when she had to leave. I thought she was home forever!)

Well everybody!! Our long awaited day has happened!! Emilie was finally able to see where she lives. It was so exciting, even if it was just for the day. We left Saskatoon at noon and arrived in North Battleford at 1:30pm. Our first stop?? We took her to see Dr. Urbani - the doctor who delivered her and looked after my pregnancy. We took her away from the hospital and the doctors and nurses just to see another doctor. He was thrilled. It has been a long time. After that we took her to Lawrence Elementary (where I teach French) - just for a few minutes to show her where Mommy works. We then went to Heritage where we stayed for awhile. She had her feed and a 2 hour nap.

Soon we went home. Unfortunately, we didn't stay at home long, but we showed Emilie our house, her room, Taylor's room etc. Then we went to Grandma's for supper. At Grandma's she started running a fever and was ill for most of last week with a strep in her trach.

We left North Battleford at 10pm and arrived in S'toon at 11:30pm where we got her ready for bed.

It was an awesome day and I thank God that she didn't get sick on the 10th or this day never would have happened. Praise Jesus!! This is just one of many steps to getting her home. We are hoping to take her for 24 hours this weekend.

EMILIE IS BEING DEDICATED ON SUNDAY JUNE 24TH AT LAWSON HEIGHT PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY IN SASKATOON. You are welcome to attend.

Thanks everyone. Keep praying it works!!

Love Sherri

My Job!!

Sorry!! I forgot to tell everyone that my teaching position is now "permanent". I was offered the contract. For those who didn't know, I was only on a replacement contract for this past year. That is why I am not getting paid in the summer. My position was advertised and was closed on May 11th. On May 15th, I was offered the position. Praise Jesus! God literally handed me the job last summer. I never applied for it or did I have an interview. Same as this year, except I sent in my application showing them that I was still interested in it. Now, I can get paid every summer (with exception of this one). I knew that if God handed me the job, He wouldn't take it away (unless there was something better) when we needed it most. Praise Jesus!!

Thanks for those who were praying. (those who knew about it).

Sherri

June 2007

Hi Everybody!!

Here's a short update on Emilie. There is not much that is new. She is, however, starting to lift up her thighs now. (see videos on http://sdzeylion2003.multiply.com/) There are also pictures on there. Please pray for her overall health that she remains healthy and doesn't catch any colds etc. Also, we still need some equipment - her humidifier, feeding pump, home oxygen, portable oxygen. Emilie has always had very little movement below the waist, but she is gaining more and more especially now with her thighs it is amazing. God is doing wonders with her. I probably won't be updating more than once a month during the summer, unless something significant happens. We will be so busy taking her out on day passes, but I will try to update once a month. This month is very busy as the school year is coming to an end. Take care everyone!! (Also, please keep praying for our finances. I know that God will take care of us during the summer, but your support in prayer is encouraging and we are grateful for it).

Darwin and I have a meeting with home care on June 28th. Please pray for this meeting. It sounds like we are approved and they are just coming to talk to us about individualized funding and other things we need to do. (We are praying that that's what it is).

I would like to still compile a number of written prayers for Emilie in a book I am going to title it Everybody Cross Your Fingers (I mean in prayer - not the superstitious way). I will be writing about the faith it takes to go through a storm like this and to encourage people not to give up. Please help me out by sending me some prayers by email that you have prayed for Emilie. I want to be able to read these to Emilie so that she can sense how many people are praying for her and for her to come home. Please put your name and where you are from on your email. (If you would rather remain anonymous than I understand, but please put where you are from). I also want to be able to show her and Taylor how prayer spreads and how it does wonders in our lives.

Thanks everybody!!

Love,

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor, and especially Emilie

Meeting with Home Care.

Hi everyone!

We had a meeting with home care today and this meeting was a lot more positive than any other meetings that we have ever had with them. It almost sounded like we were already approved, but they weren't sure on the number of hours that we are approved for. We are not approved yet, though. No one said we were. Please keep praying for approval and that the funding comes fast. (This meeting was for Individualized funding). We now need to concentrate on praying for God to send us the right people to care for Emilie. With so many accounts of abuse on people with physical and mental disabilities all we can do is trust that God will send us the perfect people to care for her. She doesn't have a mental disability, but wouldn't be able to communicate with us. Please just pray for the perfect people to be brought into our lives. We would need at least 2 people to work nights for 8 hours. They would just be required to make sure that Emilie isn't struggling for breath, ventilator pop offs, and probably one round of chest physio and a suction. This is not hard. She will be sleeping most of the night all night so basically the person would get to watch TV or read as long as someone is awake with her, while Darwin and I sleep. Awesome job!! Please remember us in your prayers.

Also pray for our financial situation for the summer. I will not be getting paid and will need some help. We are going to check in to Telemiracle. Our optimal plans would include possibly renting an apartment or something for the summer until Emilie can come home. We need to take her out as often as possible to "prove" ourselves willing and able to take care of Emilie's needs. I'm so glad and thankful to God that the nursing manager finds us more than capable.

Thanks so much everyone!!
God Bless you and keep you!!


Love,

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor and especially Emilie:)

First time at church!!

Hello everyone!!!

Hope you are all doing well!! Today was a very special day. Today was the first day we were able to take Emilie to church. We were also given an extended day pass. Our first passes were only 4 hours, but today they said to come back whenever. I said,"never???" ...I guess not. We would have to go back for more oxygen at some point.

Emilie loved church. She loved the singing. She was dancing!! ;) We praise God for allowing us to bring her to His house. We hope to take her every week.

Anyway, things may be looking up for bringing her home. We have an appointment about individualized funding on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 3:30pm. Please remember to pray for this. You are all a real blessing to us. I thinks sometimes we forget to thank-you and tell you how much you mean to us. Prayer works and God fulfills His promises when He feels we are ready for them - when He is ready for them.

I was thinking today about what it would be like if things had turned out differently. Seeing all of these babies all around Emilie's age walking and toddling around. Then I got to thinking that God wouldn't have given Emilie to us if HE didn't think we are the perfect parents for her. I strongly believe that. There is a reason for why God gave Emilie to us. Maybe because she needed us, as well as the fact that we needed her. Wow!! Looking over the last year I've learned an awful lot about myself as a person. Looking into Emmy's eyes, I've learned a lot about who I want to be.

We thank God each day for our supporters. We can't thank you enough. Always remember that, even though we can't thank-you verbally enough, we are always thanking God for the blessing of all of you who pray for our baby. She (we) wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for your prayers for her and for us. Your diligence is wonderful. May God bless you all this month. I will be posting some more pictures on the other website sometime this week, if I can find a free moment or two.

We love you all,

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor, and especially Emilie:)


http://sdzeylion2003.multiply.com

Emilie's First Birthday - April 6, 2007

EMILIE'S BIRTHDAY!!

I can't believe that she is a year old already. God has really blessed us this year. Eventhough things aren't the way we had hoped and we have to go through this, God couldn't have given us a better daughter. If you've met her personally you know what I'm talking about.

Emilie loves everyone. Her eyes sparkle when she has a visitor and she fights going to sleep if a visitor is in the room. She has a sweet disposition and is very content and cheerful. I'm so thankful that God has given her this disposition. She has shown me that eventhough things aren't perfect there is still a reason to smile and look at the bright side of everything.

We had Emilie's birthday party on Friday, April 6, 2007. On the fifth floor of the hospital in the North Atrium. Some of the people that attended were (forgive me if I forget you); Great-grandma and grandpa Wright, Grandma Updike, Auntie Lori and Dallas, Auntie Monique and Jared, Auntie Beatrice and Joel, Mommy's friend Mimi Marchewka and Breeze, Mommy's friend Diane Nystrom and her sister Elaine, Pastor John Drisner and of course - Mommy, Daddy and big brother Taylor. Emilie had a great time!! She got lots of presents and even tasted the icing on her cake, which she LOVED!! Thanks to all who attended.

We also want to thank everyone who joined us in fasting and praying for Emilie that day. Please continue to pray for her. We are hoping to take Emilie to church the next time that Darwin is home. Thanks for all of you who are continuing to support us in prayer. We feel really blessed to have so many people in our lives who pray for us and support us in prayer. You are all really special and we hold you all close to our hearts. (yes, even if we haven't met).

We love you all!!

PS we got the charger for Emilie's external battery this past week and were able to take her to get her pictures taken at Wal-mart. We sent out a photoparade to those who are on our list. You can check out the pictures on the multiply site.

http://sdzeylion2003.multiply.com

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor and especially Emilie!!

First Day-pass March 30, 2007

Hey everybody!!

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in awhile, but I've been very busy. I could have done it last week, but I left the cord for my digital camera in N.Battleford.

We were able to take Emilie out for her first day pass on March 30th. We took her to my grandma's house WITHOUT telling my grandma. Mainly because we didn't want them to be expecting her to be coming and then having something go wrong and not be able to. We didn't want to disappoint them.

As it was, the night before the pass something happened with the ventilator. . . it shut off. So they shortened our pass from the usual 4 hours, for a first pass, to 3 hours.

Emilie had a good time. The surprise went over very well and we were also able to surprise my Aunt Brenda and her family that were visiting grandma and grandpa, also. We ended up being out for the full 4 hours because when it came time to feed Emilie we realized that the nurse who helped to get her feed ready forgot the g-tube (used to feed her - VERY important). She said that subconsciously she must have wanted us to be out for the full 4 hours.

Anyway, the day went very well - no problems with the ventilator and Emilie had a great day! Eventhough she did not have her nap (she literally fell asleep once we put her down in her bed).

Pictures?? Of course!! Silly me, I forgot to make sure my batteries were charged, so I had to get some pictures off of my mom's camera.

Enjoy,

Sherri

Emilie's first outside adventure

Hello everyone!!

On March 24th 2007, Emilie went outside for the very first time. She LOVED it! We didn't go very far because it was very muddy, but she got the biggest smile on her face as soon as we walked out the doors. A taxi driver drove up and waved at her before taking off and Grandma met us at the doors with Taylor and Dallas. She LOVED watching her brother and cousin in a natural environment being able to see them act more like themselves instead of quiet like in the PICU. When her battery beckoned us inside, Emilie cried all the way back to her room from the moment we walked back into the hospital. She had a great time.

Just to let everyone know, our day passes have been approved. When it happens we'll let you know what it was like. I know it will probably be better for her to see her family in a more natural environment than in the hospital. Thanks for all of your prayers...enjoy the pics.

Sherri

Praise report!!

Hello everyone,

Yesterday (March 22) we got a call from the hospital saying that Emilie's portable suction will be dropped off on Friday March 23. I thought, (I'll believe it when I see it,) but it was waiting there for us when we arrived to see Emilie tonight. Thanks again for all your prayers. So, right now, all that is needed is a portable oxygen so that we can take her easily on day passes. Thanks be to God!! I'll keep you all posted. Please continue to pray for her portable oxygen, hopefully that will arrive before her birthday.

Thanks again,

Sherri

Emilie - 11 months old

Hello everyone!!

Well, Emilie turned 11 months old on March 6. This past month Em began to hold her head up for a few seconds at a time. She finds this a great challenge. Her determination is amazing. She just keeps trying. She also LOVES to play games. Patty-cake, making faces at you, and singing when she finds her leak. She welcomed more teeth this month for a total of 8. She is also beginning to welcome her first set of molars as they begin to push their way through.

I am a little late mainly for two reasons. #1 report cards just went out and last weekend we found ourselves in isolation again. Finally today, Mar 18, they took her out of isolation. We were hoping to take her outside last weekend and were disappointed to arrive at the hospital to find her in isolation because of rotavirus. While in isolation we have to wear gowns in the room and sometimes even masks. This time it was just the gown. That is why Taylor is wearing a gown in the first picture.

Please continue to pray for Emilie's health and her equipment. We may be able to take her out of the hospital on Good Friday for awhile (her birthday) using the hospital's equipment, but please keep praying for hers. Also keep praying for homecare.

On Good Friday we are asking our family and friends to join us in a day of prayer and fasting for Emilie. If we are allowed to take her out we would love to have hands laid on her during prayer. Please pray for this as well because the devil keeps standing in our way when prayer for her is about to happen. Please pray that nothing will stand in the way.

Thanks everybody!!

Your prayers and support are very much appreciated!!

We love you all,

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor, and especially Emilie.

check out http://sdzeylion2003.multiply.com for the most recent video - Grandma and Emilie playing patty-cake.

Meeting with Doctors

Hello everyone,

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to take 11 month old pictures of Emilie last weekend. If she is feeling better, I will take some this weekend. She still has pretty bad diarrhea, but it may be beginning to slow down a little. Please keep praying that God will heal her from this. She is extremely uncomfortable.

Also, I have a major prayer request for Friday March 16th. One of Emilie's doctors wants to meet with us at 2:30pm. Please pray for a positive meeting. We've had so many disappointing ones. Please pray for this.

Thanks everyone,

Love,

Sherri

Praise Report

Hello everyone!!

I have a praise report. Saturday, March 3rd Emilie held her head up all by herself for about 5 seconds. I was holding her supporting her head and had my other hand by her chin. She moved her head up and it wasn't touching either hand for about 5 seconds. PRAISE JESUS!! Also, on Tuesday, March 6, Emilie turned 11 months old. (I'll send pictures next week sometime if not too busy with report cards). I took one of my grade 11 students into Saskatoon with me to see Emilie. Emilie held her head up all by herself for about 20 seconds I would say. She also turned it to look at Darwin during that 20 seconds as well. We were so excited. Definitely something to sing praises about. So please continue to pray with us!! God is answering our prayers. I also want to invite everyone to join with us in a day of fasting and prayer for Emilie on Good Friday (her first birthday) - remembering though that Jesus is the main focus as well as God's will. This is important....it's Good Friday after all. But Jesus and God's will should be the main focus everyday. Thanks for your continued prayers - PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens. Something is happening - she is now beginning to hold her head up!! Again, PRAISE THE LORD!!

Love

Darwin, Sherri, Taylor and especially Emilie

Emilie - 10 months

Well, it's been a pretty short break. I can't believe that a week can go so fast. I had a few excellent sessions at the teacher's convention in Saskatoon. The best part being that I got to be with Emilie in the evenings. Tomorrow it is back to work.

Taylor recently turned four and is now obsessed with anything TOY STORY and CARS. (Not forgetting about his obsession with planes). He loves his little sister and continues to pray "God, please make Emilie feel better, make her hold her head up and make her come home". Please continue to pray along with him.

Emilie is now 10 months old (actually 10 1/2 because I am a little late in posting this months update) She didn't get any longer this past month, which is good news for Taylor (he's only 6.5 inches longer than her). She did, however, gain some weight (she is almost 22 pounds) and some movements. She is moving her head more and more with just a bit of support - to keep her head from falling backwards, but she has more control over movements. Keep praying that she will hold her head up - that the muscles in her neck will become strong enough to support it. It can be heavy. She has also begun to move her torso. She will move it to try and see Taylor or Daddy if either are in the room. She will also start to rock if you are holding her and she wants to rock in the chair. Praise God for this. A video will be posted soon on http://sdzeylion2003.multiply.com

Also, thanks for all your prayers when we asked for home care. We had a message on our phone a couple of weeks ago and the case has gone above the heads of the people we have been dealing with to the managerial positions. This may have been influenced by a few people who are very important in our lives. They know who they are. But, overall the credit goes to God Almighty, who keeps looking out for us in every sense. Thanks for all your prayers and please continue to pray for home care and her equipment (which we still haven't heard anything about).

On to pictures - the part most of you are waiting for. We have easily captured the princess' smiles this month. She is now showing off 5 teeth and 3 more are ready to break through. We also have reason to believe that her first four molars are trying to make an appearance as her fingers that she chews have now moved to the back of her mouth and their are 4 bumps where her molars will make their first appearance. This is obviously causing the princess some discomfort. Please pray that they will come quickly as to ease the discomfort of breaking in 7 teeth at one time. Also, thanks to those who have sent me pictures for Emilie of people who are praying for her. We have access to some bulletin board space that is in her room and would like to make a collage of pictures for Emilie of people who are praying for her. To show her (and the nurses) the power of prayer. I have only received a few so please send me pictures if you pray for her. You can send the via email to sdzeylion2003@yahoo.ca or email me for my home address if you prefer to send them that way. Thanks so much everybody!!

May God bless each and every one of you who is lifting our daughter up in prayer!!

We love you all!!


Darwin, Sherri, Taylor and especially Emilie