Louie's First Visit to his only Great Great Grandma!

Today we were able to take Louie to see his Great, Great, Grandma Lois Parry for the first time. Louie is her 7th great great grandchild. Lois Parry is my dad's mom or my grandma. She is the only grandparent I have left alive. She has suffered with an auto-immune disease, rheumatoid arthritis since she was in her forties and still continues to endure it into her 90's. She is such an amazing example of strength, perseverance, and determination. A year ago she was diagnosed with colon caner and still continues to defy the odds.

She has continued living alone in her home and still pushing through her many health challenges. A few months ago, while at home,  she fell and broken her hip. Due to her age they were unable do to any type of surgery. She is now living in a care center as she needs 24 hour care but still continues to stay up-beat and patient through all of her challenges.

I look up to and admire all the courage it takes to endure what she has been required to endure.

We took these pics with Baby Louie today. She was absolutely in love with this little guy! You can see it on her face. She loved our visit and we loved sharing baby Louie and Irealnd with her!

When Grandma first saw Louie

Having snuggle time

She loved seeing this little guy for the first time

We haven't seen a smile this big in a very long time!

Kaylee, Louie, Grandma. Ireland and Me (Stacie)

ASK GOD…..DOUBT NOTHING!

This past week has really intensified as I continue on the Marshall Protocol. I have found myself not able to even handle any fluorescent lighting at all. I tried going to Home Depot store and after about 5 minutes my body felt as if it was getting pushed into the ground from the top of my head. I had my darkest NOIR glasses on but it still did not matter. I only remember my husband picking me up off the ground that I was sitting on and people around me trying to help me up. I felt as if everything around had blacked out and that I was in some sort of dream. After these episodes I seem to sleep for 2-3 hours.

Since I was so taken back by my reaction to this lighting I decided to do some research as to why this happens while on this Protocol. I found out that the fluorescent lighting flickers at 100-120 mz which people on the Marshall protocol cannot neurologically handle. It really can be dangerous if you go to a store with this type of lighting as it worsens your symptoms and causes you to blackout.

 I am also finding out that as my vitamin D levels continue to drop my symptoms will continue to worsen. As the new mediation is allowed to attach to more of my cell via the vitamin D receptors which then enables more bacteria to be released from my cells. My immune system  continues to fight and kill this bacteria. As the  bacteria are killed off they release cytokins that cause inflammation in my lungs, and lymph nodes causing even more flares than before. But this new mediation (Olemesartan) also has an anti-inflammatory property that also helps fight some of the inflammation as well.

Sun is also very bothersome and will create some huge issues for me as well. I find that if I stay in a dark house I feel better and I sleep better in a very darkened  room. However, if I do go outside I have to wear a big hat, glasses, long sleeves, and long pants. If I find some shade, I can stay out for longer that a couple minutes.

I seem to be turning into a night owl and find I just feel better once the sun goes down. I have been able to go walk around in the pool for about 15 minutes after dark and going to bed late also helps me because I can sleep in and eliminated being up for so many hours during the daylight.

I did try driving this past week when my son J'Dee needed me to bring a key for his truck to him. I made it down to his house okay, but he followed me home and said I was going very slow. I told him I was extremely nauseated and had some chest pain due to the exposure of the sun while I was driving. Once we arrived home he said I was extremely pale and I told him I felt as if I was going to pass out and or puke.

He stayed with me for a few hours and made sure I had recovered before he left. I felt bad and told him I was fine but he insisted on helping me since I helped him out. My son J'Dee is such and kind and caring son. He made me breakfast and got whatever I needed during my rough patch today. I enjoyed talking to him and spending the time with him. He has been so busy with work and summer fun that I rarely seen him. Although he wasn't too happy about locking his truck keys in his house, I know he appreciated the sacrifice I made to help him out today!

Although many things might be intensifying and some days I felt down right crummy! I try my very best to keep a positive and happy outlook on each day. I tell myself during the rough parts not to worry as my body in waging a war inside.  I know that if I rest and listen to my body and not try to push myself through the extreme pain and fatigue then my immune system will have a better chance at killing all the TH1 infection in my body.

I  found a scripture (Mormon 9:21 see below) this past week that reminds me to continually pray and ask my Father in Heaven to bless this treatment that I am enduring and to allow it to work to the best of it ability. I also have to admit that I have never prayed for patience more than I do now full knowing that this protocol will take years, not days or months, but years in order to see improvement.

I do know I am on the right path to recovery and if I continue to do my part, ask the Lord for help, and never doubt Him or what He can do….  I will see healing and improvement some day!!!

Mormon 9:21

Lay Your Burdens at the Lord's Feet

It has been so much fun being involved with the birth of baby Louie. I have loved every minute of it. I have to express my sincere and deepest gratitude to my Father in Heaven for answering my prayers and for the atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ. These past two weeks since baby Louie was born I have felt strengthened more than I could ever have imagined. I know that I was able to be there for my daughter these past two week because of prayers that were answered in my behalf.

As the birth of Louie was approaching I have to admit I was pretty worried as to whether I would be able to help my daughter with her new baby and toddler while at the same time her hubby and my youngest daughter taught swimming. Knowing the side effects and how sick I have been these past couple months made me really wonder if I would be able to be there for her like she needed me to.

After much pleading with the Lord, I have to say I truly felt so much strength and power beyond my own. I know that I was truly carried by my Savior and was allowed to do for my daughter what she needed me to. Today my daughter and her children all stayed home while her husband  and my youngest daughter taught swim lessons here. I was excited to get to some of my own housework, but realized after only 20 minutes my body could not handle what I was trying to do. I started to get very dizzy, had trouble breathing, had lung pain, and then started to black out again. 

At first I started to get so angry and frustrated as to why I couldn't do what I had been doing for my daughter these past two weeks. I was able to do more for her than I have in a long time. As I laid there on the ground trying to recover from this episode the strongest impression hit me! I realized that these past two weeks were not just a coincidence nor had I made permanent progress. 

The impression took be back to my prayers, before Louie was born, where I had plead with the Lord to give me the strength and ability to help my daughter, and to be the mother she needed me to be as she brought another sweet spirit into this world. I was once again humbled at the realization that it was not me just being a "super-mom" that enabled me to help her, but once again it was my Father in Heaven's answer to my prayers and my Savior's atonement that lifted, carried, and strengthened me in order to help my child when she needed it most! 

Soon my impatience turned to an outpouring of love and gratitude as I realized that I was lifted up and given the ability to be the mother I truly was yearning to be again. My children have done so much for me since the onset of this disease and as a mother my greatest desire is to always be able to be there for them when they needed it most. 

I am thankful for rough days like today, that serve as a reminder that the Lord does hear and answer my prayers and through His son, Jesus Christ I can have the ability to have my load lightened and burden lifted so that He can work miracles in my life, especially at at time when I needed it most!

 

Our little tiger Louie

WHAT A CUTIE!

This little guy is one week old today! He is growing and chaining each day! I have loved being able to see him almost every day since his birth. As Kaylee is needing help when Bubba is working each day.

I am so thankful for this sweet little spirt that has blessed each of our lives!

Our 1 week old little tiger! ROAR!

Grandma with Landee & Louie

This is what happens when I try to hold Louie. Ireland is good at first with me holding him, then she wants him off my lap and onto hers! haha! Here are a few pics of capturing these moments!

DARLING SMILE

Louie is so patient

What a cheeser!

GIVE ME THE BABY GRANDMA

Irealnd trying to steal the baby from me

Ireland trying to be soft and Louie trying to be patient

Grandma and Grandpa with our two little ones!

Newborn Louie's 1st Photo Shoot

Today Kaylee and Bubba came over to our house to have me take newborn pictures of Little Louie. It was their first time out of the house since he was born.

 He was so cute and so calm for the pictures. So fun to see this little one again today!

Andrew and Ireland swam outside while we took pics.

Here are some of our favorites:

What a cutie little guy!

Is that a smile?

SUCH A SWEETHEART

Kissy lips!

LOUIE & LANDEE DAY 1

Baby Louie is 1 day old today! Landee loved him today but was not as soft as she was yesterday. A little jealousy was beginning to set in, especially when it came to grandma time. Any time I would hold Louie she would come up to me and try to take him away or pinch him! haha! So I learned real quickly to hold her at the same time as I did him. Boy was it difficult! haha!

Swim lessons was canceled yesterday for the delivery of Louie so Andrew and Shaniah had to get right back at it first thing this morning. Kim took off work to be able to help me take care of Ireland and help Kaylee and the new baby. 

I was exhausted and flaring from yesterday but I kept praying for strength to help me make it through and be there for my kids at this very important time. 

I was strengthened and was able to do all that I needed to to help my daughter and her family! I am also so thankful for such an amazing hubby who knew I couldn't do it all alone today and was there helping me be the grandma I wanted to be! LOVE YOU HON! You are the best!

Here are a few pics from today.

Grandpa and his kids

JUST CHEESING IT FOR THE CAMERA

Although I look pale and tired the Baby is so cute yawning!!

LOVING HIS SOFT CHEEKS!

Little Louie

Our little spitfire Ireland

Louie hating his dirty diaper

MOMMY and her BIG HELPER

WELCOME BABY LOUIE ROBERT POWERS TODAY!

WELCOME BABY

IT'S A BOY!

LOUIE ROBERT POWERS! 

Born at 3:00 p.m. 

Weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs. 10 oz. and 20 inches long. 

My daughter Kaylee and my son-in-law Andrew had their 2nd child (1st son) born today! What an amazing and miraculous experience it was for us. I was able to witness his birth at their home! Kaylee had even asked Shaniah her younger sister to be there for this baby's birth. Shaniah was  quite nervous during the whole experience but shed tears of joy with the rest of us as Louie arrived into this world safe and sound! Andrew also was very emotional seeing that this was the baby boy he would name is grandfather and dad after. Louie was named after his great grandpa Louie Demarco and his Grandpa Robert Powers who both are in the spirit world at this time! Such a special experience knowing that this little guy left all his family and friends to be with our family and to have his own turn on earth!

Kaylee had made us all predict when this baby would be born. Her due date was June 6. My mother Cheryl's birthday is that day. Andrew's fathers birthday was June 9 and they were sure the baby would come on one of those days. BUt this little guy wanted his own day and HE GOT IT! In fact Kaylee was the one who predicted he would come JUNE 10, which he did! Shaniah was the closest one to guessing his weight correctly being only one ounce off! 

No one knew whether this baby was going to be a boy or girl!  We were all so anxious and excited to finally meet this little one! It was an 18 hour labor for Kaylee, the baby was never under any stress during the entire time so they just allowed her to progress on her own. Her water never broke until just before the baby came out and we believe that is why it took so long. Good news is that this baby never had a cone head  because he was so cushioned in the water sack during the entire delivery.

Ireland was downstairs with Grandpa when the baby was born and I quickly ran downstairs to get them both once Louie was born. Ireland was astounded when she saw this new little baby in her mom and dad's bed  that had once been in her mommy's tummy. Once she got over the shock of it all she held and loved him and did not want to put him down! It's like she remember him and was so excited to finally be with him again!  Not five minutes after the baby was born Uncle J'dee showed up leaving work to see his new little future fishing buddy! Although C'Jay was in Arizona for the summer working, he was there with us through the labor by way of text and then FaceTimed us right after the birth so he could meet this new little nephew of his!

TODAY was definitely a very tender mercy given to us by our Heavenly Father at a time when I really needed it most. Ireland came at a time when my health seemed to be at its worst and currently starting this protocol I would have to say this has been a pretty rough time as well! As Kaylee and I talked about this she said, "Mom you just have to get better because I don't think I can handle another baby for a while, I have my hands full with these two little one!" I assured her she doesn't have to have babies to get me through but I did tell her that it really does make things so happy when I have these little grand babies to focus on! I know that Heavenly Father is aware of what we are going through and always sends tender mercies to let us know that we are never alone and will always provide a way to make it through whatever trials we must face in this life! I am a very grateful grandma today!

I am so thankful for this little miracle brought into our family! Here are a few pictures from this very special day! 

I made this little video to announce his birth to our family and friends!

Ireland giving Louie a kiss just minutes after he is born.

THE HAPPY FAMILY OF FOUR! Just minutes after Louie arrived

Ireland's cheesing it as Bubba calls family to announce Louie's birth

Louie Robert Powers Born 6-10-15

Daddy holding his son for the first time

Aunt Niah holding her first nephew

Grandma so excited to hold her first little grandson!

Uncle Dee Dee with his little fishing buddy!

PROUD PARENTS

SO IN LOVE WITH THIS LITTLE GUY!

Such a happy family!  

(Ireland fell asleep even after all the excitement. She was exhausted)

Proud Grandpa 

He was so nervous during her labor that he ended up mowing their lawn 3 times that day! haha 

And I thought I was nervous! haha

Louie's Grandparents ( we love you so much little guy)

Ireland had woke up from her nap and was so excited to hold her baby brother again.

She was so tender and sweet as she loved him.

She could not believe how tiny he was! Look he even looks like he is smiling back at her.

She was so soft and sweet with him

He even looked like he was trying to give her a kiss.

She was so mesmerized with him that she didn't even notice or care we were taking pictures of this sweet little moment. I was so happy to be able to witness and then capture the first tender moments of these two!