Miracles do happen part 2

I had the grandest intentions of writing about family traditions and one I started last year, but those will have to wait until tomorrow.

Tonight I saw the video below and my heart is uplifted with JOY for the Mckfamily! Sweet Stellan has a new life and is FREE of those wires, tape, and sticky things. My heart is overfilled with joy and thankfulness for this sweet family. We may not know what HE has planned for us...but HIS will surely shines through the sky right about now.

Jeremiah 29:11 states " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

HIS will shines through and sweet Stellan is HEALED!!

CLICK HERE to see the heartfelt homecoming of sweet Stellan.

HALLELUJAH!!!

MIRACLES do HAPPEN

MIRACLES do HAPPEN!!!

STELLAN proves it! Check out MckMama's blog to see this gripping story.

Prayers for Stellan

Sweet Stellan is in the PICU right now and needs our prayers. Click on the button for more information. MckMama is twittering as well to keep us all posted.

Seriously people?!?!

MckMama wrote this post with a link to the news story that ran last night. I watched the entire story this morning and can you just say I am MADDER than a hornet's nest from the unsettling facts I found out about a few people who follow MckMama. I am angry/mad because I had no idea to what extent people would call MckMama names and throw her down...daily. I am ANGRY because people are nit-picking HER LIFE and criticizing EVERY thing she writes.

I am ANGRY that people personally attack MckMama and say NASTY things. Seriously...why should WE judge?! It is not our business to look beyond the blog and spread NASTY rumors. I truly think that it is up to Mckmama to decide what goes on her blog. I believe some people are just MEAN and telling MckMama that she exploits her children among other things...is WRONG. What in the world are some people thinking?! It amazes me at the lengths people would go to shoot down MckMama and her family.

Well I am here to tell you that MckMama, considered by me, is a friend and I will NEVER EVER shoot her down or say an ugly word about her. Shame on those who personally attack her or dig up dirt!

MckMama...I have your back!!!

Super Special post because...

WE HAVE BIRTHDAYS TO CELEBRATE!!

Can you guess who is 3 today?!?!

Sweet Nuggy is THREE!!!
Permissions by: MckMama

Can you guess who is TWO today??

Savannah Leigh Steece is TWO!!

Benjamin Stephan Steece is TWO!!

Ethan Joseph Steece is TWO!!

Andrew Paul Steece is TWO!!

Can you guess who is twenty-one today?!?!


Me!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

NUGGY
SAVANNAH
BEN
ETHAN
ANDREW
&
Elyse

Hope you have a spectacular day!!!!

Virtual HUGS & Day 7 and 8 of The Shred

Updated on Tuesday to include day 8 of the Shred!

A virtual hug...ever heard of it? It is basically a time when you want to reach out of the computer screen and HUG the person who left you a comment or just needs a physical HUG. In past 72+ hours, I have wanted to sit next to MckMama, the ENTIRE MckFamily, and HUG them. When a friend of mine's family had a horrific tragedy happen to their family, I wanted to just HUG them. When one of my followers/commentors {friends} have a major issue in their family and just need my prayers...I want to just give you a HUGE HUG. I want to give you a VIRTUAL HUG right now and many more will come.

HUGS to Sweet Stellan, MckFamily, & Friends who need a HUG

Day 7 of the Shred...complete. I did not have to stop and rest at all during the workout...YAHOO. THIS IS HUGE people!!!!

Day 8 of the Shred was completed on Tuesday morning (7/28) and I FEEL great! It is amazing how I don't hurt as bad as I did for the first four days.

Starring at the computer screen for several hours waiting for an update on Stellan...priceless!

Today has been a little slow and low key. I went to work, got drenched from the rain, came home, checked the computer, had lunch, checked the computer, did laundry, checked the computer, went to the store, checked the computer, made dinner, checked the computer, worked out, checked the computer, ate dinner, checked the computer, showered, checked the computer, blogged/tweeted, and checked the computer for updates. Notice a pattern there...I checked the computer ALL day long for sweet baby STELLAN updates.

Sweet Stellan is on my mind more than ever right now and virtual HUGS are going his way. PRAYERS are pouring out to this sweet babe and I am amazed. Amazed at how one sweet baby boy can be surrounded by an entire world with prayers. I am amazed at this baby boy's strength and his courage. I am amazed how this baby boy can be lifted up by prayer by people who do not know this family. I am just amazed at how HE is using Stellan to surround someone with prayers. HIS work is all around. I am just amazed!!!

Stellan needs our prayers

Sweet Stellan is NOT doing well right now and needs our PRAYERS more than ever! He has had a TOUGH night ALL night long and today has not been any better!! Please pray for Stellan right now! Click on the button for more info or to see MckMama's tweets for the latest information.

Photo blog hop: Oh brother

This is my sweet, handsome (& younger) brother who I love and adore. He may always be bigger and stronger than I am, but I love him with my whole heart! He can pretty much ask me to do anything and I will! His smile fills the room with joy and I am proud to call him my "brother."

MckLinky blog hop

Hi sweet peeps! MckMama & Brent Riggs have teamed up and created this wonderful system that includes a FREE MckLinky. Brent created the code and I am overwhelmed with the amount of talent he has and shows through his work. Every month there will be a theme for the blog hop and this month's is introduction to your blog. This is the first MckLinky blog hop!

Welcome to my blog: FollowingHIM. This blog is about many different things, from about me to college life to special education. Nothing is off limits and I frequently write about my faith, my struggles, and my life. I have come to LOVE comments and if you visit my blog/comment, I will certainly hop over to yours and leave you one too. I am a supporter and will never, ever, leave a harsh word on your blog. This is my outlet in life and being able to write sure helps me too!

MckLinky

So MckMama and Brent Riggs are having a little contest for their new creation called MckLinky. On MckMama's blog, community board, you can blog about this new invention and link it back to her site. The prize: one lucky winner will get a giftcard, so why not try?

What is MckLinky you ask? A cool way to to add links to your blog (i.e. NMM.) Plus it's FREE!!! Want more information? Click here to read about MckLinky in depth.

Stellan

Many of you are aware that MckMama, Stellan's mama, and her family had a news story reported about them and it aired last night. I totally encourage ALL of you to watch it. HERE is the link. I was a basket case as I watched this sweet story unfold before my very eyes and I wanted to share with you why this sweet family has made a HUGE impact on me!

** In utero, Stellan was supposed to die...but he did not!

** After being born, Stellan was told there was nothing (that the docs could find) wrong with him.

** At four months old, Stellan started having some trouble and the world (via MckMama's blog) prayed! Stellan and MckMama were away from their family for six weeks and the world helped this sweet family out with Care-packages, prayers, blog posts, and whatever else they needed.

** A world of different people from different countries/states/nations came together and PRAYED and PRAYED for this sweetheart and his family. This totally blows me away of how a world of so many could come together and UNITE for this sweetheart. I have been amazed at the support that the MckFamily has received and continues to receive. Stellan's SVT may not be cured, but there are still so many people praying for him. Amazing how HE (God) can bring us all together, make us disregard the little, and PRAY together for Stellan!

If you would have told me that a blog, MckMama's blog, would bring us all together for this little man and on my knees in prayer a year ago, I may have been skeptical, but NOW...I totally understand and believe ANYTHING is possible!

So A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

NOT ME Monday

It's back by popular demand and the fact that MckMama has time now. Sweet Stellan is now home to the thawing tundra and the NMM show can now continue. Queen MckMama, yes she is royalty, is the mastermind behind this free therapy we all enjoy and actually makes my Monday enjoyable. To see more NMM posts, just click on the button above. Now onto the good stuff.

** I did not cry like a baby when my lesson plans disappeared on Friday morning. I then did not cry like a baby again on Sunday while watching Greys Anatomy.

** I did not have to leave the room when one of my fellow classmates asked a stupid question in class and got called on it. I was not laughing so hard either.
** I was not over the moon when MckMama said on her post Friday that NMM would be back today. Seriously...it takes more than FREE therapy to get me excited!

** I did not spend way too many hours exploring Picnik this weekend.

** I did not sleep 3hours in a 48hour period on Wed/Thurs night and then sleep 14hours on Friday night. Best darn sleep I have had in a LONG time!

** I did not miss my blog last week when I had the most hellacious week ever! Even though I had stuff to do and did not have time to post, it was still tough!
** I am not excited about my 400th post soon and the giveaway that will follow. Just hinting...more will come about the giveaway this week!
** I am not ready for this weeks' finals to be over with already.

** I have not been craving salty foods for the past week. I most certainly have not kept salty foods on hand either. Seriously...I am not feeding my cravings! Nope not me :)

** I am not over the moon about the fact that MckMama is back to NMM posts. I did not glow while writing this post either!
** I did not receive a text from my sister on Friday stating "dad and mike think you are dating a 30 year old." I responded with why and she said "that is why you are so happy all the time." Let me tell you right now that I am NOT DATING anyone at all. If they would have known... this past week was the most hellacious and I was not a happy camper at all, I think it would have changed their minds, right? I did not laugh so hard at this though! I think my dad and Mike (business associate) have LOST THEIR minds!
Hope you enjoyed this edition of NMM. I am so glad MckMama is back and her Free Therapy is as well. Have a fabulous Monday!!!!

Today at 8:30am (EST), Stellan will go for surgery. Please pray as the Great Physician helps sweet Stellan and guides the doctor's hands and minds. Not only is this little guy 5 months, he is already a little fighter. Join the fight today...click on Stellan's button at the top of this post, see updates from MckMama, and pray. This little guy has brought the world to its knees and there are only a few who have that POWER.

I want your insight/ideas

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I would like to get your insight on something. I am in the process of gathering items and a few things for the MckFamily as I type this. What do you give while a mother is in the hospital with her sweet son while dad/family/friends man the fort back at home with three other little ones? I am creating a little bag for each child as well and also trying to pick up a few odds and ends when I see something appealing.

A few things I have already gotten:

** Subway card

** Snacks for MckMama and family...trail mix, nuts, choc chip cookies (since she likes them)

** Bags for all four kiddos

I want to make an impact for this family since MckMama has already done so for me. Any ideas are greatly appreciated :)

TGIF

It's Friday!!!! I have a few things on my mind that I would like to share:

** I have spent a majority of my free time in the Math Lab this week. Has it been all that math homework? No...I was laughing until my jaw hurt and having real "friend" time...I was so amazed!

** I told a fib-let lied to a meeting group on Thursday night and said I was studying for my test that next hour...I was eating dinner and then again I laughed.

** I got to talk to my mom for ONE HOUR tonight and enjoyed each and every minute of it. I have not talked to her in FIVE days and it was time :)

** I have to skip my sister's deal on Sunday evening since it is at 5:30pm and that would mean I would not leave till 10pm on Sunday night to make the trek back to Collegetown. So I am not going home this weekend! I am a little sad but have a surprise up my sleeve for next week since I am home next weekend too. I will reveal surprise later.

** I have been in a funk all week long and am so looking forward to going to bed at a reasonable hour on Friday night...yippee...I am so serious :)

** My 400th post will be in 15 more posts after this. I am working on a great giveaway for that. Details to come soon :) I can't believe I am almost at 400!

** I have become more of a blog-o-holic this week with the daily updates. I am also following twitter and MckMama like mad now too :)

Hope you all survived another week...can you believe that it is over and the weekend is here? Any special plans? Not me...but I see a tiny bit of relaxing and a BUSY weekend in my future :)

TGIF

Thankful Thursday

Nicole totally rocks my world and is again hosting Thankful Thursday again today! Thanks Nicole :) Click on the button or her name to see more Thankful Thursdays.

** I am thankful for Stellan improving a wee bit and being in Normal Sinus Rhythm for a HOURS today. He is still in need of prayers as the MckFamily is on day 12 in the hospital today.

** I am thankful friends...I laughed so hard my jaw hurt last night! Plus it was a GREAT stress reliever.

** I am thankful for the "light" at the end of this semester tunnel...even though it is far, I can see it!

** I am thankful for my family and all that they provide with me!

** I am thankful for people who lift me up each and every day!

Most of all I am just THANKFUL...THANKFUL for life...THANKFUL!

Not Me Monday...Stellan Style

Most of you know that Sweet Stellan is still in the PICU with SVT. MckMama is usually the hostee of this fabulous therapy, but Natalie is so nicely holding the NMM Stellan style due to Stellan being in the PICU. Thanks Natalie :)

** I did not get asked numerous times if I was sad at school today or last week.
** I did not check my twitter and dashboard for new posts from MckMama.

** I am not praying like a mad woman so that Stellan can feel better soon and a miracle can be shown.

** I have not cried numerous times for Sweet Stellan.

** I do not "reply" to MckMama as I know her on twitter.

I AM effected by Stellan. He HAS brought us all together and his prayers will be heard throughout the world. The MckFamily and Sweet Stellan are still in desparate need of prayers! Praying loud and proud for Sweet Stellan!

A few new things

A bunch has happened over the past few days and I wanted to fill you in a bit. First, I have added a prayer button on the top of my posts to the prayer vigil website for Stellan. I am amazed at how our blogging community has pulled together. A friend today asked me why I cared so much today about sweet Stellan since I was constantly checking my tweets and dashboard. I told her that Stellan's mama has brought us together through her blog and all I can do right now is PRAY. I am upholding my end of the bargain.
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Secondly, I received my Pay It Foward prize from Amanda and IKEA prize from Tobi. A post will come sometime later this week!
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Thirdly, this week has brought a break through with the teacher I was having difficulties trials struggles with. I actually enjoyed my art class on Tuesday night too. We had a conversation and understand on Monday afternoon as well. After an hour of discussion, I am hoping that the last 6 weeks are bearable and great...I WILL BE OPTIMISTIC! THANK YOU for all of your sweet and encouraging comments through this hurdle as well.
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A few songs lyrics that I have mixed for how life's events are going:
GOD is in control
HE will raise your up on Eagle's wings
HOLD you in the palm of HIS hand
Shining in the light of HIS glory
This is the day
HE lives in me
I am a child of GOD

Wordful Wednesday...Pray for Stellan

Click on the button to see updates

Stellan, MckMama's youngest is in the PICU and not doing so hot right now. His heart is in SVT, which is supraventricular tachycardia and is having a really tough time. By gosh he is only 4 months old! My whole world is praying for this little guy. His mama brings bloggers together each Monday for Not Me Mondays and encourages those around her. Let's give her encouragement and pray for sweet Stellan and the MckFamily!

Even though I do not personally know the MckFamily BUT they have impacted my life in many ways. MckMama is real and she has introduced me to many of my blogging friends. She gives me inspiration and encoragement! Right now, I am paying MckMama back by doing what I can do...praying hard for Stellan. We may not understand God's plans, but HE hears us praying!

Esther has created the Pray for Stellan vigil website that is going on NOW! Check it out and sign up or commit to pray for Stellan. You can choose hours, times, or just when ever you want. The power of prayer DOES work...so join us in prayer for this little miracle named Stellan!



FIGHT STELLAN FIGHT

Wordful Wednesday is hosted by Angie who allows us to say what we want and still have a "Wednesday" theme. Stellan is in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be. My heart aches for the MckFamily as they face the "unknown." Fight STELLAN fight! You are such a strong little boy already...keep fighting!

Fight Stellan Fight

If you don't know MckMama or Stellan, I will allow myself to introduce you. Stellan is MckMama's sweet baby boy who is 4 months old. Last night he was taken into the ER because he was having difficulty breathing. Well, Mr. Stellan is currently in the Children's PICU. As MckMama stays vigil at his side, I ask you to pray for a MIRACLE.

When MckMama was pregnant with Stellan; the doctors told her that he would not survive due to heart failure. But he survived. Now Stellan needs our prayers more than ever. Sweet Stellan is a MIRACLE and will continue to be living proof. Please pray for his heart rate to become stable (as it is extremely high) right now. Please pray for guidance for the doctors that are helping Mr. Stellan. Also, please keep MckMama and her family in your thoughts! I can not imagine what they are going through right now. All I can do is pray and there will be lots of praying for Mr. Stellan!

Look at this sweet boy (picture by MckMama) Click on the pictures to view MckMama's website!