Blog

Today was a win. No matter how you look at it.  Derek had a minor procedure to determine if he has high pressure in his spinal fluid. He does not have high pressure. It's normal. We are choosing to thank God for this. Though his pressure continues to remain unknown, we will not give up,… Continue reading A Birthday Blessing

Any parents out there wiping away tears as you help pack up your college-aged children? Is your mind racing of all the challenges, obstacles, and adversities your kids may face? I completely understand. Moving our middle daughter, Whitney, who is a junior in college, brought on a mix of emotions. As we faced the challenge… Continue reading The Stuck Mattress

Have you ever had an experience—hardship, illness, broken relationship, addiction, financial loss, business loss—that didn't have the results you hoped for? Some might think you aren't doing enough. Eating healthy enough. Praying enough. Working enough. Believing enough. But what if this experience happened so that God could reveal something He wanted you to see—and that… Continue reading Setbacks

We've called this five-and-a-half year journey of SSCD and brain surgeries and recoveries "The Unfolding Miracle" because the truth is that Derek didn't get an immediate miracle. And, if I'm honest, he hasn't experienced a complete miracle either. Yet. We are grateful  for all the blessings, miracles, and amazing progress. Derek was able to have… Continue reading Seat 28F

As we chugged up the mountain range and I white-knuckled the steering wheel, the words of Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel" echoed through my head. Literally. Warning signs proclaiming, "Gusty Winds," gave me knots in my stomach. Visions of our camper going over the mountain cliff flashed before my eyes. Exhausted, we pulled into truck… Continue reading Face Plant

In honor of the commitment I made to my best friend 22 years ago, this one is for him. You see, all those years ago, I promised two simple words to him that changed my life forever. He promised those same words back to me. "I do." A year ago, I traveled across the country hoping… Continue reading Butterfly Wings

Have you ever wanted to fast forward your life to the future? That was me exactly one year ago today. I wanted to wish the year ahead of me away. One year ago, anxiousness consumed me. My husband's future—our whole family's future—was uncertain. We drove cross-country, pulling a 42-foot camper to UCLA hospital in California,… Continue reading SSCD – Rewind