Update as of 10/30/2011

Audree gave everyone a scare Friday night. She was having problems breathing so Kim called the hospital and they told her to bring her in the ER as soon as possible. She had a lot of blood drawn and another x-ray done and was finally admitted to Cardio early early Saturday morning. All tests came back fine and she was released later Saturday afternoon. They said that she will just have some bad and some good days. Per the tests ran - her heart has not gotten bigger so her condition had not gotten worse which was a huge fear!

Happy Girl! 

Lauren's Note:
I had the privelge of staying with Mark and Kim at the Ronald McDonald house. In the two days I was there I was amazed with the facility and the other families who are staying there. I found it not just to be a place for the families to lay their head but it's a healing place, a place they can talk freely where others understand some of the medical terms, understand their fears, understand the long exhausting nights at the hospital. It's like therapy 1on1 for some of them who NEED to talk with others who can understand what they're going through. I talked with two dad's who where there with their son's. One dad had his little boy who was born 11 days ago (as of today) but wasn't due until February! The boy weighted 1 lb ? oz. The doctors basically gave them no hope. He wouldn't be breathing when he came out, his fingers and toes would be fuzed together, he probably wouldn't make it through the night, etc...well guess what...by God's grace that little boy is STILL here 11 days later!! That's 11 days more than what the docotrs told his parents! That's 11 days more than the original speculation! GOD IS GOOD and He continues His work in that little boy. The other dad had his little boy at the hospital who was roughly 19 days old. He was born with 1 valve to his heart. He has undergone surgery and as of today is doing great! Rumor has it he may be going home soon!!! There are more stories...and more life experiences...I just find the families in the Ronald McDonald house amazing and SO steadfast in God! This includes Mark and Kim who have stood firm with Him and firm with eachother. How they find the strength every day to wake up to this realization - that's beyond me. I can only say by the grace of God and His miracles that it helps them move forward each and every day.My heart breaks for them and for all families who are experiencing their child sick but I find peace in the fact that they have a Ronald McDonald house or a place like the Ronald McDonald house.

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying

Romans 12:12