A LONG Awaited Answered Prayer!!

Greetings from St. Luke's Hospital!! I can proudly say as of Thursday afternoon my sister received her transplant for a heart and both lungs!! Everything began right before 5:00 PM on Wednesday afternoon when my sister called me on the phone saying they had asked her to stop eating. We were always told this was the first sign to look for when a donor was possible. The next thing that happened was her cardiologist coming into her room saying that there was a possible donor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is 1100 miles away from us which was out of our range meaning if anyone else needed a heart or the lungs they came first. There was 1 person ahead of her that if they matched they got it. First we were told we would know about 6:00 or 6:30. This later turned into more like 8:00 PM we will know. At 8:00 PM I called and my sister still didn't know, but that there was still hope. At 9:45 PM she called and my mom answered and Courtney said "THEY'RE MINE!!!!!" I immediately started jumping up and down, called friends to tell them, and got on Facebook to write everyone in the group that was created for my sister "Praying for the Guthrie Family." After that my mom, fiance' Quade, and I hit the road! We got there very quickly since it was 11:45 at night; however, it turned into a long night. We first were told the surgery would be between 2 and 4 AM then around 4 AM then between 5 and 6 AM....on and on because of issues with blood typing the potential donor. After a couple of hours of hearing very little, finally at 8:45 we were really told they were ours and would be leaving Albuquerque soon. Finally, at 9:30 they wheeled her into surgery after a very emotional goodbye. I figured the time waiting would just crawl on, but after such a long night of already waiting I was happy this wasn't true! Every half hour the organ coordinator that had become very close to Courtney came and gave us an update. The organs arrived between 12:00 and 12:30 and they were sewing her back up at 2:00 and she didn't even need the pump to keep the organs going anymore. The surgeon came out about 3:30 and said how great everything went, how fast it was, and almost immediately her heart and oxygen levels were where they always should have been! Even though she was still out, we got to see her at 5:00 and she was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen!!!!! Full rosy cheeks, the pinkest fingernails that were no longer blue/purple, and breathing the way she always should have been!!

Now, it is Monday afternoon, 4 days after surgery and she is hopefully going to be moving to a new room by the end of the day! We've only been allowed to see her 3 times a day for 30 minutes each from 10:00- 10:30 AM, 5:00 - 5:30 PM, and 8:15-8:45 PM. If she moves to her new room on the 8th floor, we will get to see her as much as we want! The first few days she was out of it. Just yesterday we asked her how long it felt since the surgery and she thought it was just the day before when it had been 3 days! She still gets sleepy understandably after what she's been through!! She's had some hallucinations from the medicine but only candy bars so we're taking that as a good thing lol! She still cannot eat or drink anything. Yesterday they started letting her chew some ice but very little since the risks for aspirating (puncturing) her lungs are still high but getting less high everyday. We've been blessed to have her do so well so far and have faith that God will continue to bless her recovery! Thank you for those I know who have prayed diligently for Courtney and I ask that you would continue so she can come home as soon as possible! Five and a half months is a long time and will turn into 6 before this is all over!

Top 2 Tuesday!!

Todays Top 2 Tuesday is about the top 2 things you want to purchase.

1. A shih tzu puppy

I have been dying to have one these for the longest! My parents own a cute shinpoo puppy that they bought at the Canton Market in Canton, TX and my finace' says he'll get me one but I'm TIRED of waiting.

2. A new car

My future mother-in-law has this car in white and it's perfect! Good gas mileage, rides smooth, and super cute! I love my Mustang convertible, but with me getting ready to be a married woman, I need a more mature car!

Sunday Sermon, Giveaway Alert, and Wedding Shoes

I had to share what our sermon was Sunday morning because I feel it should be shared and I never want to forget it. We've been looking for a new pastor so when this visiting pastor taught this sermon yesterday he held my attention and made me wish he could be our pastor! The scripture referenced was Luke 10:38-42. The verses talk about Martha inviting Jesus into her home where she and her sister, Mary, lived. Martha was so busy trying to serve Jesus that when she found Mary sitting at Jesus' feet, she got angry and wanted Jesus to rebuke Mary. All Jesus could say was "Martha, Martha thou art anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her." The pastor then asked us, "Are you a Mary or a Martha?" I figured the "church" answer would be that we all need to be a Mary, but he surprised me by saying no that we needed to be both! I had never thought of that! It is important to have mixed desires of wanting to serve but still knowing when to stand still and listen. He closed with saying, "How do you think the story ended? Do you think Martha went back to the kitchen clamoring around?" He then said the "or" which is what I want to remember, because I agree. I think that Martha told Jesus, Hold on, let me go turn the hearth off," then came back and sat down next to Mary at Jesus' feet. This week, my goal is to balance the attitudes of Mary and Martha.

Today I discovered on Whitney's blog a great giveaway! Click here to check out the great prize that you can win! I own one of these Da Vinci bracelets and the charms are great! Also, check out her other posts!! I love her perspective on things.

I have been looking everywhere for the perfect wedding shoes. As some of you may know, I have rheumatoid arthritis so I've had a hard time finding a shoe that has a good heel that isn't too tall but enough to at least bring my tiny 5 foot self closer to my 6'1'' future hubby. So tell me what y'all think?

Hope y'all have a great week!!

Graduation Bound and Sister Update!!

Sorry it has been a few days since I've posted but I have been working my behind off to officially be set for Texas A&M University graduation!! I'm so happy that it is less than a month from graduation day and, for me, ring day too!! Since the actual Ring Day isn't until September and I graduate August 13th, A&M has set it up where graduates can get their rings the day of the ceremony. Only problem is my ceremony for education degrees is at 9 in the morning and we have to line up 45 minutes before :( Thankfully the ring office opens at 7:30 I just don't look forward to waking up so early to be there, but I know it'll be worth it!

My sister is doing pretty well! For those who haven't read my earlier posts about her, my sister has been in the hospital for over 5 months now, waiting on a heart and lungs transplant. We had a pretty upsetting week last week when we found out she could have had the surgery because 2 donors came available for her. Problem was she did not have the central line IV in her neck called a swan. She had one in for the first half of her hospital stay, but developed a staph infection so they had to take it out. We've always been told since then that if a donor became available they could quickly put the swan back in her neck and be ready for surgery, but it was a lie. Now, she does have the swan back in her neck and she is back in the CCU/ICU area. This means she should be getting something PRAYERFULLY soon! The doctor is very optimistic that something will. We had a donor the doctors thought night before last but unfortunately it did not work for her.

Thank you for those who have been praying and please continue to pray for me, my sister MAINLY, and my family! I know that God has great things in store for my sister once this is all over and that everything is in His timing!

Being silly!!

Ben and Katie's Wedding and To Grandmother's House We Go

Friday night, Quade and I had a very special wedding to go. It was special because it was only for closest friends and family of our friends Katie and Ben! It was at the 7F Lodge in College Station and it was beautiful! I was worried for her since it had been raining earlier in the day and even though there is a small chapel, the ceremony takes place in outside in front of the chapel.


The family and bridesmaids walked down the small aisle to Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" and at the part when the music gets loudest and the chorus joins in near the end of the song the doors at the back flew open and the bride and father walked through. I swear it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen! The groom was basically sobbing almost and the bride's lips were quivering as she mouthed "I love you" to him. I had tears pouring out of me at this point and again when they said their own personally written vows.


My face was bad enough Quade and I had to walk back to his truck for me to fix my make up again! Kinda embarassing!

Unfortunately, in our absence, we ended up having to get a table on the covered dance floor outside where the humidity was still horrible from the short rain shower they had before the wedding. The cakes were great and tasted even better!! Katie's mom is the cake baker that did theirs cakes and will be doing ours as well. Hers was a delicious white chocolate flavor that I will probably end up stealing (I'll ask her first) and his cake was regular chocolate that he designed himself with a golf theme. If you look close you'll see the golf items are in the shape of a "B" for Ben. I loved it!



The catering company they used for dinner was friends of ours who we will also be using since we told Katie about them and they are great and reasonable. The speeches were so sweet (cried again) and the DJ made everyone dance the night away!! I just hate that the heat/humidity was so bad and the wine selection was OK. You can see just how bad the heat/humidity was by how bad I look in the picture of me and Katie!


Sunday we FINALLY got to make the 3 hour drive to visit my Grandma to ask her husband if he would do the honor of marrying us. After my Grandpa died, my Grandma had been so used to being married (she was 18 when they married) that she got to know her pastor more and they were married about a year after my Grandpa's death. It was hard at first on us, but over time I have seen the care he has for her and the way Quade has bonded with him when they have visited together so it made sense to ask him to do the honors. We went to church with them and took them out to lunch after service at Lone Star Cafe which was some good home style cooking...and very yummy!! We drove back to their house after lunch and caught up on all that had been going on then officially asked. I knew Bro. Bob would probably tease about living that long, he really isn't that old, but after asking when the big day was he did said he would!! So, now we have a pastor!!!!

My dad is actually started to get involved!! YAYYYYYYY!!!!!! You would understand how BIGGGGG this is if you knew my dad like I do. We had a great talk when Quade left my house last night and even gave us a great idea for who we could use as a pre-marital counselor. :) Still having a hard time with trying to make him understand how important a good photographer and cake is, but he does always end with I want you to have a wonderful wedding day so I should still get what I want in the end!

339 Days and Cakes

Last time I told you that I would probably be discussing cakes in the next post and that is exactly what I am going to do. I always thought I wanted the traditional circle cake 3 tier cake with the traditional bride and groom topper, but now that I am finally in the midst of planning my wedding, my tastes have changed. I'd really love a more modern style cake that is a square 4 or 5 tier cake (since our guest list is getting bigger) with the "D" monogram topper. My wedding style is elegant yet modern and formal and colors are maroon, white, and black. True Aggie colors! So, here are the styles that I am in love with right now! Some are pictures are of circle cakes, but I definitely want square instead.







What do y'all think?

Happy Independence Day, Eclipse, and Wedding Planning!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Hope everybody has a wonderful 4th whatever it is you are doing!! Remember if you know any veterans THANK THEM! My dad and grandfathers proudly served and I am so grateful to say they did! We do not have any set plans set except for church in the morning, but for sure fireworks will fit in somewhere!


Finally saw Eclipse!!! It was so good!! We really wanted to be able to go see the midnight showing Tuesday night, but unfortunately with it being the last night of my math class and all kinds of drama that went along with that, we couldn't. It was definitely well worth it and I'd welcome to chance to see it again.

The wedding planning!! Last I updated, I told you about the dilemma between our currently booked reception venue and the venue we need to have instead. Well, we found out we for sure cannot get our money back BUT Quade (fiance) has said that his family would pay back what we lost so we can have our venue! I sure hope he's right. I know they have repeatedly said they want to financially help so mext step is convincing my family it's what we need. I now have my corset sown in my dress and a family friend that is going to do the other alterations later this month. I have to find the shoes that I will be wearing before so she can alter accordingly. I finally heard back from the DJ that we've been wanting and he is available and does lighting too! We want to price one other DJ to see who's the better deal and then decide. I'm still very lost on centerpiece ideas for our maroon, black, and white theme so ideas are appreciated!! I LOVE flowers! Roses especially but I know I'll probably have to compromise. Quade and I also like orchids so they will also be used. This is my favorite ideas so far..I'll make some revisions to make it my own but tell me which you like or even combinations?!







Well that's all I'll talk about this time. Next it'll probably be cakes! Again, Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Day of Prayer for Baby Cohen

Ever since I found out about Baby Cohen's story, I have been very heartbroken toward this family since their situation is so close to my own family's. Click here to read more. This family has been dealing with the same trials that my parents had to deal with when my sister was born with very similar heart deffects. Even though we were blessed to have my sister, Courtney, pull through all that she had to go through, I can relate with these parents as my family earnestly prayers that my sister will be able to have her heart and lungs transplant very soon. It's hard to believe that the same God that pulled my sister through a difficult birth and weeks following is the same God that chose to take this sweet baby away from his parents, but God does have a perfect plan and that I know from experience!
Today is the memorial service for Baby Cohen and my thoughts and prayers are with them. I hope that you will join me in praying for this family as well as my sister as we wait to see what the Lord has in store!

I wanted to dedicate this post solely to Baby Cohen so my next post will be an update on the wedding plans.