Rayroux updates!

Hello friends,

I know that my last post said... "I'm back"..and then, you never heard anything from me again, which I feel terrible about. The summer was brutal. July hit and I learned the literaly meanining of all hell broke loose. My sister Megan was hospitalized for what we thought was pneumonia a few days after the fourth of July, and within a few hours of being admitted to the hospital, she was in the intensive care unit, intubated, and fighting for her life. Fluid had built up in her lungs and backed into her heart. This is otherwise known as congestive heart failure with pulmonary edema, which is not common for an otherwise healthy 20 year old. Megan was intubated for 18 hours, and 55 minutes... and for the first 12 hours, her life literally hung in the balance. I really believe that she is still her because of the quick thinking and actions of two amazing physicians in the ICU, the nurses and other staff that worked around the clock to make sure that she was making progress, and the hours of prayers that went out for her.

Right now, if you were one of the many that prayed for Megan and my family while she was in the hospital... from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. There were moments that prayer was the only thing that we had to lean on. I believe that your prayers are what made it possible for my husband and I to communicate with the physicians, keep a clear head, and make the best decisions for her. I just cannot thank you enough, and just know that we offer praises and blessings for each of you.

We are still working to figure out exactly what caused her health to take such a dramatic turn, but I know that God is in control of her situation. He has already make so many big changes in her life, and I'm just excited to see where he leads her to next. Mostly, I'm just thankful to have my little sister.

Still waiting to get into see a cardiologist for Kyrie... which has made me more than antsy. She started school in August, and after a bit of a rough start.. she is progressing well. I know that in God's time we will have an answer for everything that we have been going through with her. I know that his plan for her is just starting to take off... and that wherever he is going to lead her, she is going to thrive. She is just a precious little girl, and I am so thankful that God trusted me to be her mother.

On a more sad note... I lost my pops to cancer about a month ago. He went into the hospital about two weeks after Megan got out.. and battled a pletuhra of oppertunistic infections and other issues. After weeks and weeks of antibiotics, medications, and hospitals... he found his wings and flew home. He and I had a very different type of relationship. I'm 110% sure he is where all of my scarcasim came from. He and I always gave eachother a hard time, but I knew that when I really needed to talk to someone... he was always there to listen, and give advice as best as he could. He always let me know that he was proud of what I had been doing, and proud of the things that I accomplished. For as heartbroken as I am that he is gone... I am so thankful for the time that he was here.

Speaking of school... I did enroll in the fall semester. I worked through the first 5 weeks, and it became very apparent that for this particular stretch of life... that was not where I was needed. I have been running into one problem after another and as a result, my family was suffering. After very long discussions with my husband, I decided not to continue on this semester...or to take any other actions related to nursing school. Bryan has had many oppertunities come his way, since then...and I know that this was God's way of telling me that I didn't need to worry about it right now. So, I'm home..working with Kyrie and the duo..and preparing for the new baby...who will be arriving sometime in the next few weeks.

Baby number four is a boy! And as I said earlier in just a few more weeks we will be welcoming Caden James into the Rayroux clan. =) Everyone is super excited, and super busy... but life would be boring if it were anything but that. I'm really enjoying being home right now. I am preparing my youner two for school, and I actually have time to work with Kyrie on her homework and such. This has also made it possible for Bryan to try out a few new things. He just returned from a wound care class, that would not have been possible for him to go to if I were still trying to go to school, because the  Sunday that he left.. I was to be in clinicals...and we had no one to watch our children. However, he got to go to the class, and now we are waiting to see whether he passed the certification exam. He also started a board certified geriontology class last night, he has 6 months to complete. If that weren't enough, he was also given another oppertunity..that I'm not sure I'm going to talk about right now... as he is still deciding on whether or not that particular thing is something that he is really ready to do... but I promise you..as soon as I get the OK... I will let you in on that one.

I do have to say that I am so very extremely proud of him, and how hard he has worked in the last few years. I couldn't have asked for a better companion and friend that him. I am so very luck to have that man in my life, and if he should read this... Thank you honey, you are my hero... and to this day, you continue to save me. I love you with all my heart, and I am so proud of the chaos that we have created together.

Now that I am home, and things have seemed to settle down for a while. I am going to work out a schedule for the stuff that I post. I've gotten a ton of ideas for things to do with the kiddos, and now with the holidays quickly approaching... I have a bunch of DIY decorating ideas, recipies, and activities that I cant wait to share. =) The holiday season is by far my favorite time of the year! So, with that, I am off to make my munchkins lunch. If you think of something that you would like me to do... just shoot me an email, or comment the blog. =) I'd be happy to look into it and see what I can come up with!

Blessings and love as your week continues!