31. Really?!

I feel like I just turned the big 30 yesterday. 30 proved to be a big year in many many

ways. More than just entering a "new decade". My son turned 3, I found out I was finally pregnant, I started a business (The Vintage Garage-I will delve more details at another post), traveled to the ocean, my oldest stepson became a teenager, and I found out that my baby had a rare congenital heart defect. My life changed in that moment. It was a very very heart wrenching soul searching year; very tough. But, God had a plan. I grew more in this year than in any other I believe. It was not how I would have planned it but thats just the point. God's ways are better than our ways and His plans are better than our plans. I learned to trust in Him, really trust in Him, rely on His strength and cling to His mercy and grace. He certainly
proved His faithfulness to me and that He is indeed BIGGER than anything we face!

The best birthday present ever! Cuddle Time

Max says, "Oh sweet baby girruull!"

Uh, you think she may have my eyes? ;)

Enough picures now Momma. I'm serious.

Christmas photos

This Christmas we celebrated at our home in Illinios. It was the first year I have not been back to my childhood home in Kansas. It is such a restful, peaceful place & it does my soul good. I missed not being able to see my precious family and my dear friends. It was sad. But, I rejoiced because it was Evie's first Christmas and she is the best gift I could ever receive. The network of family and friends who came together to pray for Evie was mind boggling. We got to see a miracle happen. I truly believe that. I wrote to my family that even though we were miles apart this Christmas; in a sense we are always together. I feel that in my heart.

Asleep on Daddy's shoulder.

Slept through her first Christmas..Oooo
thank you for my pretty new outfit! I had to open most of her presents for her. :) Darn.

Just a bb gun. No worries. NO cardinals.

Surprise! Santa brought us a new TV! Will, I've got like 6 birds, you have 3

Well Pleehh.

What's that smell? No that's not me...

I'm way to cute. It was one of my 3 brothers. Really.

A Christmas Card

My Christmas Card to you all! Edward, Max, William & Evelyn Peters: my hearts.

My sweet baby girl! Her checkup went great! Her O2 levels were 98, blood pressure and heart rate all good...and her incision is healing very nicely. We are off medicine now and don't have to go back to St. Louis until February. The doctors will do an echo then to look at her heart and see how it is healing.

Yessy, my lungs work very well momma and I do Not want this hat on my head anymore!

My big brother Max holding my hand.

Max at St.Louis Children's Hospital with "Nellie". She was more well behaved than some of the children.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May you and your families be blessed as you all have blessed us with your thoughts and prayers! Glory to God!

Home At Last!

Yes, we are finally home. We got to come home on Thanksgiving day. We definitely had something to be thankful for this year.

Evelyn's surgery was on Nov. 17th. She went in at 11:45am and we did not get to see her until 8:30 that night. There were some unforseen problems with her coronary arteries that took some extra time to repair. Because of that, the surgeon kept her chest open for 2 days. It was terrifying. Her blood pressure, heart rate, & oxygen levels all plummeted. Her right lung collapsed. We were so scared. She responded well to some hard core meds and after two days they closed up her chest. They were able to take her off of the ventilator just a couple of days later. After that, her recovery just took off. "She is one tough cookie," said one of the nurses. Yep, she sure is. For the next 6 wks. we will have a nurse come to the house 2 times a week. Her first follow up cardiology apt. is next week. Pray all results come back normal.

We greatly appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers so much. We know that they helped us all survive this. What an amazing God we serve! He still does miracles today!

Our Miracle. A "Ray" of Light & Life

Praise Jesus! I'm home!

Finally out of the intensive care unit

Evelyn Ray Peters

Evelyn Ray Peters "Evie"

"Light, Life, Beautiful Bird"

Our sweet baby girl was born Mon. Nov. 8th at 12:05 pm. She weighed 6lbs. 60z. and was 19 1/2 inches long. She is now in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and she is doing well. She is a fighter. She is our beautiful angel of love. Her open heart surgery is scheduled for Wed. Nov. 17th at 12:00. She will be in the operating room for 8 hrs. Please pray for our baby girl's body, for the dr.'s hands, for Stephen &I's peace of mind. Pray for quick & easy recovery so we can bring our little princess home. Pray for big brother Max as his little world has been turned upside down. We appreciate all your prayers and support thus far. Will update again when I can. You can also check out my sister's blog at www.marigoldroad.com for more info & pics.

"Listen to Me...You whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried you since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and will carry you ; I Will Sustain You and I Will Rescue You. " Isaiah 46:3-4

Oh Lord, to you be the glory and honor and power.

Its Time!

Just wanted to let everyone know that they are going to induce this Sun. Nov. 7th at 9:00pm. I have been on bed rest the past 10 days and am ready and anxious to welcome baby. Nerves are on edge and emotions at the brim but we are "ready" to do this. Our baby is a miracle and we are confident that God will continue His miracle in our baby's heart. We continue to rely on His strength and peace. Thank you all for your prayers!

Max Bailey

I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!

Wilder Raine

Story Elena

Edward Wachter, Max, William Louis

Hannah Elaine, Edward, Max, Benjamin Richard, William

Will try to update with more news soon!

Update; before & after pics

We are still here, taking it one day at a time. We have recently gotten back from our third trip to St. Louis where we have met with sooo many drs. Baby is growing and developing very well and already weighs over 5pounds! (Nearly as much as I weighed when I was born). Baby Itty Bitty will definitely have to have "balloon procedure" done right away as there is lots of flappy tissue around the small opening between right &left sides of heart. This tissue tends to want to close over the hole right away & in our baby's case this needs to stay open until surgery. Surgery could be anywhere from day 2 to day 7 of baby's life. First night in NICU and the remainder of time in the CICU(cardiac intensive care unit). We should be able to have an inducement date soon. They are thinking sometime the 2nd week of Nov. Not much longer! Thinking about the reality of it all and seeing our precious baby undergo so much brings about lots of scared and nervous feelings as we get closer to "D" day. But, we continue to trust in the Lord and know that He will help see us through. Please continue your prayers as we anxiously await our miracle.

Max at our neighbors annual
"Pig Roast" celebration Labor Day weekend.

Brothers, will there be another brother joining the Peters' boys clan? We'll find out soon enough!

Max with new baby kitty Bogart Peters.

Me: 35wks preggers.

And now for some before & after "nesting" projects. This is a pic of the buffet I am standing in front of before I got my hands on it.

My kitchen before. I have been dying to get my hands on it and always visualized the after in my brain.

My $100 kitchen makeover. What a huge change huh!?!? Took me a week to work over those cabinets but sooo worth it in the end. Amazing what an electric sander and some paint can do!

Vintage table found for $3 bucks at garage sale, now in a fun fabulous turquoise

Coffee table before and...

After w/top of Maxy's head. The paint is called black leather but looks a little navy in this photo.

Cool chair I revamped but could not find the before photo.

Boy's room/pad. Before. Stay tuned for after. It's almost done.

Nursery. Before. Oh Lord. We do at least now have crib set up

with clean sheets and bedding :) Stay tuned for the after coming very soon.