Update on R.J.

Since the previous blog R.J. has had 5 more surgeries. He is holding on to the good small bowel that is left. He is awake for the most part. The ventilator is turned off but still in. There is still swelling of the other organs and they cannot do reconstructive surgery in his abdomen until it is all gone. He has been open since the first surgery on April 1st. They are really needing to be able to reconstruct and close him up.

We really need your prayers. As soon as they take the tube out of his throat the detectives will question him. Please pray that we can be there. He is very safe and secure with us there. I am afraid he will be too afraid to tell the truth if we are not there to reassure him that he can come home with us when this is all over.

The surgeons are going (in) everyday and looking and as soon as the swelling is down enough they will start reconstruction. Therefore we will really have no warning it could be any time. The surgery will be 6-8 hours.

Our life as you can imagine is up in the air. We need to work, but our heart is to be with our grandson to help him recover and mostly to protect him. We don't know what happened, who hurt him and it is so very difficult to be 800 miles away. We are self-employed so we can get up and go without a boss to answer to. However, work has been basically non-existent since the first of the year. My husband is trying to do some small jobs enough to finance our trip back and stay there. Hotels and traveling is very expensive. Please pray for provisions so that we can be where we need to be.

I will update as soon as possible.

Thank you so much for your prayers. It is a miracle that our grandson is still with us. He is not "out of the woods" by any means, so we continue to need your prayers for R.J. We would love to be celebrating his 9th birthday with him here safe and sound.

Critically ill grandson...R.J.

R.J. is the red head! Connor-left, Malachi-front
Bryson-right

R.J., Malachi, and Austin - Spring Break 09

We have three grandsons who live in Lawton, Oklahoma. Until the middle of March we have not been able to see them for four years. My step-daughter left with them and wouldn't have any contact with us. I know you're wondering why, well if we knew I would tell you. The father has called us throughout this time period keeping us informed about their welfare and such. It is a tough situation. Misty, my step-daughter did not come in to our lives until 1999. We got to know her and love her and she made us grandparents. We absolutely loved and adored our grandchildren. She got mad one day and up and left and until March we had not spoken with her.

However, we have prayed continually for our grandsons, their well-being and most importantly their salvation. Just days after my husband felt like he really petitioned God more earnest than ever before; we received a phone call from Misty. She said she was having problems with the oldest boy R.J. (he is 8) and would we consider taking him for his spring break. Well, we couldn't wait. We drove and met them in Arkansas and picked up R.J.

We had a great week. This boy had no behavioral problems at all. We had a house full of kids that week and there were no problems whatsoever. The week ended too soon and his mother came to get him on Friday, March 20th, (my birthday, no less) It took 2 hours for us to calm him from his sobbing and begging not to leave. It tore our hearts out. Later that night we talked to him and he said he was okay, and he promised to be good so that he could come stay all summer with MeMe and Poppa.

God answered our prayers in March. Little did we know that there was tragedy to follow. Nevertheless, we know God is in control, he knows are hearts desires for these boys and we are praying for His will to be done. God is working on our behalf for us to be able to be in their lives.
Sometimes answered prayers are not simple and sweet sometimes it is very painful. "God, we believe, help thou our unbelief"

We were on our way to the airport Wednesday, to pick up my mother-in-law when we got a call that R.J. was being air-lifted from Lawton, OK to Oklahoma Universty. We got Jimmy's mom went to the house threw very few things in to a bag and left. We got here at 9:00 am on Thursday morning to find that he was here not because he was sick and his stomach had been perforated "as we were told", but instead it was a blunt force trauma, still under investigation. The other two boys Connor and Bryson are in protective custody. My husband along with the parents are in Lawton, OK now trying to see the boys and see if they can be released to our care. Rusty was in Iraq and got here Friday night, therefore, we are hoping they will release them to his custody.

There is so much so I will try only to cover the medical issues and you can just use your imagination at how we are dealing with the questions of who did this to our grandson.

The injury was so severe that his small intestine was totally ripped apart from his stomach. It had been in this state for 24-30 hours before receiving medical attention. He died once on the flight and was revived. He then was not able to make it to the children's unit of the university so the pediatric surgeons literally ran to the other side and had to open him up right there in E.R. to save his life and stop the bleeding. We have done through 2 more surgeries since then. They actually do the surgeries in his hospital room in PICU because it is too dangerous for him to be moved. The surgeries are explatory/cleaning surgeries. His stomach is still open with a wound vac inside. Friday they found more dead bile and had to remove it, the surgeon said no more can die or we will have to let him go. The chaplain came in during the middle of the surgery to prepare us that he was probably not going to make it.

He made it!

He had surgery again Sunday morning, they removed part of his colon that had died. He did well through that surgery.

He is on dialysis, ventilator and chest tubes, and multiple drains and tubes all in him. His liver is in bad shape but has improved in the last 24 hours.

They are keeping him paralyzed because it is too dangerous for him to be awake. However, for them to get a feel for his awareness underneath the drugs, they backed it off for a few minutes and he looked at us and got too excited his blood pressure went way too high. They had to quickly put him back under. But for a brief moment he looked straight into Poppa's eyes and he squeezed and held on to his MeMe's hand.

This is all I can handle right now. We sure do covet your prayers. We don't know who hurt this baby and the detectives have not gotten anywhere .

Please pray that the truth is revealed and that we can give these boys a home of love and protection.

Love you

Lora

Sweetest Baby Boy

John-Philip has to be the sweetest baby boy I have ever known. The kid is always smiling, which is a constant reminder of how good God is to me. I mean part of that in a funny way because my son-in-law is not a "smiler", and I was afraid John-Philip wouldn't smile. However, seriously I did pray God please let that baby be happy and smile. He smiles ALL THE TIME, unless he is just horribly sick, which he has been a couple of times. You never have to coax him. The other day Kacey, John-Philip and I were about to get out of the car and we were talking about his smiling. We decided to experiment, we turned around and just looked at him. He immediately began smiling, that big beautiful smile. We just stared at him. After a couple seconds he just stared at us with his smile slowly fading. He would start to smile again but just look back and forth at us wondering what was going on. I felt terrible I couldn't continue so I smiled and he got his big smile back looking rather relieved.

You know it was funny then but as I am writing this now, it makes me realize how important your expressions are to the little ones. So keep on smiling everybody.

Maddie, it will be alright!

Tuesday, Malachi and Madison had to go to the doctor for a check-up and shots. Madison went first as Malachi set on the examining table at the top by Madison's head. Madison made it through the first two shots but on the third one she let out a squeal and began to cry. Malachi being the loving brother that he is gently put his hands on both sides of Madison's face and said, "Maddie, it's gonna be ALRIGHT!" Then, he promptly looked at his mom and said, "I ain't doing that", and jumped from the table and headed for the door. Rhonda and the nurse captured him and he took he shots against his will but as bravely as possible. He tried so hard not to cry. With tears in his eyes he kept making funny little laughing noises to keep from crying.

The sweetest part was after they headed home. Here is what Malachi told Madison. Maddie, whatever you want to do I will do it with you. We are going to MeMe's tonight and whatever you want to take I will help you get it and I will carry it for you.

How precious is that? I tell you the things children say are so precious. We have never had twins in our family and watching them has been so fun. They are so close.

BUBBLE BATH?

Who would have dreamed you could really get that much out of an ENTIRE bottle of liquid soap?
I have had the extreme pleasure of having my "Bookers" (grandbabies) 4 days a week for the last couple of weeks. Well, when you can't get outside and you have done everything else...a bubble bath is a good idea. (or is it) Madison and Malachi love taking baths. They don't take baths together anymore, but...at MeMe's house with the jacuzzi tub and all the bubbles we make an exception from time to time. After all they can't see each other for all the suds. With the toys in place and the jets going and the bubbles forming I left for a couple minutes to ask Poppa about his meeting he just got back from. Before leaving the bathroom, I said, "no more bubbles and no more water". Well I think my couple of minutes went a little longer. As Poppa and I sit in the other room just enjoying listening to the laughter of our precious, obedient, beautiful grandbabies; we noticed the giggling was really intense. Then we hear..."MeMe you need to come here." A quick glance at Poppa and then off to the bathroom. I just stand there for a second. They are looking at me not sure whether they were in trouble. They only called me in there because they could no longer find the button to turn off the jets. I roll up my pant leg and got in to get the jets turned off. I turned to look at them the anticipation still on their little faces. I laughed and then of course I went for the camera.

Now you can tell by the pictures that they were really repentant over using the rest of the liquid soap and adding more water after being told not to.

I couldn't even rinse them I just had to dry off all the bubbles. They were very sticky. Here is the worst part of all. I am dealing with bronchitis right now, so I didn't really feel like cleaning the tub right then. The next morning I tumble out of bed, truly desiring a nice hot bath only to be rudely awakened by a tub of toys and soap scum like you have never seen. After writing this I realize that is what I should have snapped a picture of as to warn other brave grandparents of the after effects of the "cute little bubble bath".

So after clearing out the toys, I took a wash cloth thinking I would simply clean the tub now. That didn't happen. I realize the scum is on every surface, including candles. It can't be just wiped you had to actually scrub the thick scum. So I climb into the tub and one 45 year old leg went one way and one went the other and my arm tried to break the fall. It was an ugly sight. I can only imagine how my husband heard it. A large thud, a laugh, and then a moan.

I hear in voice that sounds like I am really afraid to ask this question. "Honey, are you okay?" Yeah, I replied. "Are you sure?" Yeah, I'm just cleaning the tub.

Christmas Eve

We have started a tradition at the McGee house. Now that we have built the two-story "Booker's Fort" we go up on Christmas Eve and read the Christmas Story. This year was quite different than last year. Last year it was cold and Christmasy! This year it was hot and stormy.

Kacey, Matt, and John-Philip were the first to arrive. It was storming, the rain was horrendous and the winds were literally tornado strength winds. I ran outside with a huge umbrella to help them in. The umbrella did the inside out thing a couple of times, but we made it. I had to change clothes my skirt was soaking wet.

We had a spread of each one's favorite request. Kacey- hot wings, Rhonda - asparagus wrapped in ham, Malachi-stuffed eggs, Matt-red velvet cake, and we all had to have "Jimmy's famous Potato Salad". This year I told Rhonda and Kacey they had to make something special. Kacey and Matt made homemade bread stuffed with chicken, cheese and peppers which was surprising wonderful. Rhonda made a lemon icebox pie which was also very good and I think they were very proud of their selves .

When the meal was over we opened gifts. This is normally saved til last but with it being a church night things got switched around. By the time it was finished it was time to leave for church. Poppa, Malachi, Madison and I went to church. My backslid daughters (literally) stayed home so they had to clean up which was really cool. However, I would have cleaned it all by myself for the next week in exchange for them attending the service with me.

We never cancel services at our church. I really love that and appreciate that about our Pastor.
It was a nice time. The "faithful" were there for a sweet time of scripture reading, singing around the piano and a special time of sharing our hearts with one another.

When we got back we went up to the fort. Poppa had decked it out with the garland and lights. It was around 60 degrees so I didn't think about the "hot cocoa". However, as soon as we were all seated Malachi asked for it. He was appalled that I hadn't made it. Poppa climbed back down and got he and Madison a soda, after being informed that we couldn't possibly proceed without drinks.

Poppa read the Christmas Story as I looked around at my family. Appreciating another year of having them to love, another year of watching their beautiful faces snuggled altogether listening to the "Christmas Story".

I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and just remember cherish every gathering of your family together because you never know when one will be missing from your circle.
Lots of love,
Lora

Happy Birthday Son, We sure do miss you...

Saturday, December 13th. Philip would have turned 24 today. He was a Christmas crazy man. He loved Christmas and everything about it. He would have started decorating in July if anyone would have let him. Now that he is gone, we celebrate his birthday by going to the Christmas tree farm; we pick out cut down a tree, have some hot chocolate, take lots of pix. Malachi and Madison came over Friday to spend the week-end, Matt, Kacey and John-Philip came over on Saturday. We ate some "hot chili" and then were on our way.

It was a little cooler this year so we picked a tree a little faster than usual. We had a great time.
It was John-Philip's first year and that was fun for all of us. It meant so much to me to have Kacey and her family, and the twins. It made the day easier. There were tears, but there was much more laughter and wonderful memories shared and new memories made.

I got home and saw that Daniel, (Philip's best friend) had called. It means a lot to know that other people miss and love him too.

At home we decorated the tree and Malachi and Madison made oatmeal raisin cookies with Poppa. I rolled Madison's hair for the first time with sponge rollers and that was fun. We had a really great day.

I am so thankful to God for my family and the cherished memories of my beloved son Philip I thank God for the 20 years, 11 months and 6 days that I had him to love.