SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!

HAPPY AND MOST BLESSED

THANKSGIVING!!!!

I guess it is completely fitting that the only holiday that Witt has never been in the hospital for is Thanksgiving! There has been no other life that God has used like Witt’s to make me bow in thankfulness. Maybe its because in the first few hours of Witt’s life we were told he would only be with us a few days. God not only taught me to be thankful for each day He has given me with Witt but to simply be thankful for each day. Somehow He even filled me with thankfulness at the end of some very very difficult days in the hospital. Someone might look at Witt’s life...what he has been through and even the day to day circumstances and think that surely there is anger, resentment and bitterness. I tell you the truth, Witt’s life exudes peace, joy and thankfulness all to the glory of our God!!!

Today, I shout to Lord, “Thank You! Thank You, Lord that You are Lord, that You are Sovereign and thank You for another day with Witt! Thank You for another day to share Witt, to share Witt’s story, to share Your story!!!”

Witt continues to grow and learn...he is learning to clap!!!

PICTURES AND PRAISES!

The last couple of weeks have been filled with celebration, fun and food!!! First, we celebrated Witt's 2nd birthday!!!!

The house was incredibly decorated and the treats

were delicious...especially Mel's famous cake pops!

Mel and Austan provided a feast that we all enjoyed!

Many friends and family celebrated with Witt!

And then there was Trick or Treating!!!

You can't help but celebrate with Witt...celebrate what our God

has already accomplished in Witt's first 2 years!!!!!

PERFECT TWO!

t W o

I

T

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two years ago, we spent the day in a hospital waiting room. we were hoping and fervently praying while mel was laboring. i wanted to believe the uncertain things on ultrasounds were a fluke. i wanted desperately for austan to come announce a perfect baby had arrived.

two years ago, at 6:15pm witt harris lupher made his entrance into this world. austan came into the waiting room to proudly announce, "it's a boy!" followed immediately by the fact they had immediately taken him for help breathing.

later that night, everyone gathered as a specialist tried to explain details. details about some less than perfect conditions. then witt was brought back into the room for everyone to meet him for the first time. what i remember most about that moment was seeing the display of perfect love as mel reached out her hand to hold her son's hand for the first time.

over the course of two years, witt (and austan and mel) have given me a whole new definition of perfect. there have been so many details that are less than perfect on paper. so many tears and hard days. i don't mean perfect in the sense of painless. instead what i'm saying is that witt is absolutely perfect because he is God's creation. his story is filled with miracles and trusting in God's perfect plans. and for two amazing years witt's life has touched us in ways that are unexplainable.

witt is perfect. did you know perfect means a) pure b) excellent and delightful in all respects and c)completely suited for a particular purpose? i can't think of any more perfect definitions for my perfect nephew.

happy birthday witt! we love you beyond measure. we give thanks for you everyday and are overjoyed to celebrate you today!

love,
annalee

WITT'S ALMOST 2 YEARS OLD....GLORY!!!!

WITT THEN...

AND NOW!!

This was the first Entry in witt's blog. I am printing it here for us all to read again and realize how faithful our god is!!!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

MEL'S APPT

Unfortunately, at today's appointment we did not get the news we had wanted. The space in the brain has grown from 10 to 13. This could indicate some form of brain damage which we won't know till the baby is born. I believe that God is calling us to walk the walk. I ask that you pray for Mel and all our family that we look past any results and look to the very face of God. I am still wholeheartedly petitioning God to miraculously heal this baby but we have to have our faith in Him regardless of situations. Honestly, I don't think I have ever been called to walk in this kind of faith and trust. Please pray that God would fill us with immeasurable trust in Him...He is Trustworthy! Whatever God chooses to do in this situation we will praise Him and seek to give Him glory! Mel has her OB appointment this Wednesday. Once again Melanie was hit hard but she has caught her breath and knows that God is in control. She is an incredible testimony to me. She is not pretending that everything is going to be just fine but she manages to keep seeking God and His strength. Please continue to pray for her. She still laughs! I would ask you to pray for me also...that God will strengthen me as we walk through this. "Thank you" falls so short of what I mean but I sincerely thank you all!!!!
-Karen

God has Faithfully carried us through Witt's first 2 years. God made it almost impossible for us to not see His face with each step. God has healed Witt in so many ways. I have lost count the number of times we were told that Witt was dying. Each time we had doubts God filled us with more than enough trust in Him. God is, has been and will be our Strength!!

Now speaking personally, I want to share just a few of the many things our Faithful Father has taught me through Witt's first 2 years!

I have learned that there is no end to the depth that my God will reach down to pick me up and there is no end to the heights that His love takes me. I have known and wholeheartedly believed that my God is Sovereign but I have learned to trust that sovereignty. Not just knowing but trusting in His sovereignty ushers in a peace that is beyond all human understanding. I have also learned that excruciating pain can exist in the midst of total peace and somehow this peace makes the pain bearable. I have known that He is sovereign and I have learned to trust that Witt will breathe every breath that God has deemed. I have learned to trust that He has the final say in all things. I have known that all things were created by and for Christ and I have learned that undoubtedly, undoubtedly, undoubtedly Witt was created by Christ and for Christ. Witt is created in His image and for His glory. I don’t know of another human being in which the fullness of Christ overflows from more than Witt. I do know that Christ made me for the exact same purpose too. I have known that I am to bring Him glory in all things and I have learned to say, “NEVERTHELESS…NEVERTHELESS, I will praise YOU. You alone are worthy of all honor and glory no matter the circumstances!” I have learned that something that many would say is horrible is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I have most definitely learned to bow down at the throne of Grace and wholeheartedly thank God for Witt…thank Him for Witt just the way he is…perfectly made in the image of Christ! Perfectly made to bring God infinite glory!

APPOINTMENT WITH DR. MACICEK TODAY!

Witt has a cardiology checkup this afternoon. He seems to be feeling really well! Witt's feed has also been changed so they will check his electrolytes today. Other than that Mel is preparing for Witt's 2 year birthday!!!! I just want to shout "Hallelujah"!!!!!!

Melanie sent this video yesterday to GrandBud(Witt's great grandfather!) who had a procedure done yesterday. Of course GrandBud loved it!!

AMAZING GOD!

What an amazing God...what an amazing 8 days at Warrenton!!! At the top of the list is that Witt and Mel were there for the entire show(except for part of the day Monday) and Austan joined them for the weekends. Melanie and Austan both jumped back in at the cafe with Melanie making plates and Austan grilling. God's blessings on my family certainly flowed and one of them was from Rachel Ashwell.

Rachel Ashwell(Shabby Chic) was on our property doing a book signing in the Junk Gypsy tent. She took time out to come inside and meet Witt. I told her all about Witt, explained his equipment and mentioned that we were wanting to raise money to buy a van or car that Witt's cart and equipment could just roll into. Later that day Melanie was presented with a book that Rachel had signed for both of us. It read:

To Witt's Nana and Mama, Your story touched my heart. You are a beautiful,

strong little soul, surrounded by love that you so deserve. Please accept this

token towards the vehicle that will help show you the world.

From my heart,

Rachel Ashwell

Attached to the page with a poem entitled "Mother" was very generous check!!! Thank you, Rachel! Thank You, Lord!! Just having Witt out there was blessing enough but surely my cup is overflowing!!!!

One evening I walked in and Melanie was reading to Witt. He

loves the books that he can touch and feel!

WITT'S AT WARRENTON!!

I am sitting here in Warrenton at the Zapp Hall Antique show watching Witt!! He's been here a couple of days. Mel and Austan actually took him to Houston earlier today to the pediatrician. They just wanted the doctor to examine Witt again since he is still pretty junky. This is the first respiratory type illness Witt has had since he's been on the vent and so far he is handling it pretty well! The doctor said that Witt has a good bit of congestion but the xray showed no pneumonia or wetness in his lungs!!!

This next part absolutely brings tear of joy to me...the doctor that saw Witt today was on the NICU team when Witt was born. She said that Witt has grown so much and that honestly they didn't expect Witt to live. That's why we leave all our expectations at God's throne. Somehow God trades our expectations for His peace and He alone has the final say on all things!

BACK HOME FROM THE DOCTOR

The doctors trip wore Witt out!

It was a good visit to the pediatrician's office. Dr. Tapia is on vacation so Witt was seen by someone else. Fortunately she had seen Witt in the hospital. She said Witt actually looks and sounds pretty good. He hadn't had a fever since this morning and Melanie has not had to turn up his oxygen. Witt's runny nose and cough could be allergy related or viral. He was given a breathing treatment and is on steroids for 5 days. They also did a quick strep test which was negative. The visit ended with Witt getting his flu shot! Melanie did ask about taking Witt out of town to the antique show. The doctor said that it should be no problem for him to go assuming he is getting better. Melanie won't make any decisions till tomorrow and may still wait a day or two just to make sure Witt is not getting worse. She is also keeping a close eye on his breathing. He seems to be breathing a little differently. If anyone would notice a slight change Melanie would. Honestly, we are grateful that this doctor's visit did not end up with Witt having to be admitted...we got kind of use to that happening! Please pray that he is getting better and that his breathing returns to normal!!

Today I was reminded how often our circumstances can disappoint us but that my God can never disappoint. My hope and my joy must be found in Him and not in the plans I make. Having said that, I am still praying that Mel, Austan and Witt can join the rest of the family at the antique show and I am trusting God no matter what His answer is!!!

Witt didn't act like he felt bad!

PRAYER NEEDED!

Please pray for Witt! Yesterday he woke up with a runny nose and a cough. Melanie talked to the nurse at the pediatrician's office and made an appointment for today at one. The nurse said it sounded like allergies but wanted Witt looked at. In the middle of the night Witt started running a low grade fever. Fortunately we have not had to take Witt to the ER. Please, please pray for Witt that this doesn't get any worse and hurt his lungs!! A respiratory illness could be very dangerous for Witt. Please pray for the rest of us too!!! Of course Witt's health is by far the main concern but tomorrow Mel, Austan and Witt were suppose to come join us at Warrenton for the antique show. I am heading back to Houston right now to drive them to the doctor. Melanie has not been able to be a part of the Zapp Hall event for a couple of years and is really looking forward to this. Our main concern is always Witt's health and especially where anything respiratory could be involved!! Right now I am asking God to let no other emotion fill me but adoration for Him. I am asking that His praises are what fill my heart. I know that sounds very noble but that's best for me. What a God....what is best for Him is most assuredly best for me too!!!

JUST A SMILIN'

Lots of Smiles!!

Well, at least Mel is smiling...

I think Witt has had enough!!

Although we did take Witt to the hospital he did not get to have the swallow study. In order to perform the test Witt's cuff in the trach has to be deflated. This really upsets him. He gags quite a bit and cries...and Witt never cries!! Melanie got him all ready but he was too upset to even try to swallow anything. The occupational therapist recommended that Mel deflate the cuff at home for very short periods of time to help Witt to tolerate it! Next up is an appointment Monday afternoon with the gastro doctor. Hopefully he will have some insight and suggestions to help with Witt's slow motility!

With Witt it's always a good morning!!!