Still in NICU

Jaelynn is still in NICU.  The doctors have done three X-rays on her stomach but they are not getting "movement".  She will remain in NICU until they get the "movement" from her stomach they desire.  Not sure what "movement" exactly means--though I have a feeling what it means---regardless, let's pray for "movement".


(inserting randomness at this point:)  I am getting ready to go re-pack for my trip to Colorado.  Re-pack b/c I packed Saturday and I just found out it will be cooler out there than I had anticipated. Flip flops and shorts are not going to jive this time of year in CO.  Besides, Jim is making me pack light (whatever that means!).   I just read a great post from blogger Courtney.  (Click here to read)   Like I needed another reason to buy more purple clothing to match my purple pinkie! Just sayin'.    Maybe my re-packing will consist of adding a few more purple shirts to the suitcase.  Might even sport a purple scarf on the plane.......

No surgery needed!! Praises to Jesus!

Thank you all for all your prayers. Jaelynn is still in NICU but her breathing is much improved. Test show she will NOT need surgery on her intestines. Your love and thoughtfulness has been such a blessing to us the past two days that words simply can not express. Thank you!!

Quick Update

Baby Jaelynn is undergoing GI testing, will know if she needs intestinal surgery later.  Her breathing has been good while in NICU.  Thanks for praying!

Jaelynn has been moved to NICU

Will you please pray????  Jaelynn was moved to NICU during the night as she would continuously stop breathing.  At this point we are not sure if this is from her heterotaxy syndrome, heart blockage or other issues. They will be running tests on her today.   I will update with a blog post as soon as I know more.   Please pray for Amanda and her husband, Josh as well.

Jaelynn Isabella Rivera's first photo shoot

Welcome to the world Jaelynn Isabella

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 

1 Samuel 1:27

World, I would like to introduce you to my precious granddaughter.  Here she is:

(drum roll please...................) 

Jaelynn Isabella Rivera

6 pounds, 11 ounces born at 6:13pm  

 Her heart is working properly.  She is not being admitted to NICU and will be rooming with her mommy tonight.  She will under go some tests tomorrow but as of now all appears to be great!

  Praise The Lord for His miracle!!!  He has touched baby Jaelynn and healed her heart.  (Due to her heterotaxy syndrome, doctors originally expected possible heart surgery due to a blockage in the Vena Cava and up to a week in NICU.)

This blog post must come to an end as I feel the need to get up and do the 'happy' dance unto the Lord one more time!!!!!

"Praise The Lord, all my soul and all that is within me Praise His Holy name!"

Good things come to those who wait.......

My baby girl (Amanda) was induced this morning.

She arrived at the hospital bright and early.  They broke her water, gave her petocin and the waiting began.  I have been waiting by the phone ALL day.  Talking to her every hour it seems (I wish I could be there....but soon enough!  I'll be there by the end of the week, praise Jesus!).   As I type this nine hours have passed and Amanda is still only 4 cm dilated.  Bless her heart!  This is going to be a long labor.  Amanda is either going to pass out from fatigue or boredom!  (She HATES to sit still longer than 30 minutes).  This baby is going to be "strong willed" just like her mommy!!

I will let you know when Jaelynn is born and if she will need surgery (on her heart or intestines due to her heterotaxy syndrome).  I am praying for a miracle.

Just a warning:  If you do not want to see pictures and lots of posts from a giddy grandma, you may not want to check my blog for the next few days   week  years.   Just sayin'

Be careful what you wish for.....

 Maybe the title of this post should be "Be careful what you pray for".  As you know when Amanda told me she was pregnant, my first response was, "Are you serious?  I'm gonna be a grandma??  Geez.....I wanted a PUPPY not a grandbaby!"  Obviously, I was joking and am more than thrilled to become a grandma "Mimi".  

Well---lo and behold, in addition to getting a grandbaby, looks like I will be a new mommy myself.  A Yorkie mamma that is!!

I got to meet my new little "bundle" of joy today:  

Here she is at 6 weeks

I was tempted to steal her and bring her home today

She fit perfect in my purse

We will have to wait just a wee bit longer to bring our new addition home.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 37:4

100% or 85%

Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step. - Joni Erickson Tada

I had the opportunity to attend an amazing Bible Study last night.  I met with a group of "young women" (ages 26-30's).  Their passion and zeal for Jesus was beautiful and they inspired me so much!  No lie, I felt old sitting among all the young women as they discussed ovulation...eggs dropping (not Easter Eggs)...getting engaged...going back to college, etc. When they asked my age, I laughingly replied, "My eggs are dried up!".   I am glad that the bond of Jesus is stronger than our age or season in life.  I appreciate these gals welcoming me as part of their study last night.  God used this precious group of young ladies to speak to me in numerous ways.  


The group is currently doing an inductive study through the book of James.  Last night we talked about the "joy" of trials (Chapter 1).  The discussion was very real and frank.  Questions were raised such as, "How is a trial joyful?"  "What does joy mean during a trial?"  We even talked about how sometimes we want to trust The Lord with all we have (100%) but sometimes we only trust him with about 85% of ourselves.  (I'm glad I'm not alone with these thoughts and questions!).  


We basically came to the conclusion that:

• we will not necessarily be happy about our trials but if our perspective is right (trusting The Lord) then part of the joy comes from knowing He is working in us and through us.
• Trials will work for us and not against us
• Trials can bring out the sins that are already there but God will use this time for cleansing and for His glory.
• Trials will re-define us and grow us to be more like Christ (if we allow them too.)
• He will give us wisdom that we need as we persevere through these times

Are you going through a trial/test at this time in your life?  I am!!  It is nothing major---in fact if I told you, you might laugh. As simple as my trial may seem to others or how simple their trial may seem to me, when we go through them they are REAL!   My prayer is that I will pass this test and be purified of all the 'crud' that is in me. (I love how the dictionary defines crud - a coating or an incrustation of filth, something loathsome, despicable, or worthless.).  I want Him to re-define me and to grow me.  It is so re-assuring to know that during this time He is holding me. 


One of my Facebook friends had this picture as her profile picture.  I am not sure where the picture came from or who to give credit, however, it spoke volumes to me. It goes along with the theme that The Lord is sending my way this week.  Don't you just love when He speaks to us He does so in many ways, shapes and forms!!  I am a visual person so He knew I needed to "see" this picture yesterday.  (BTW:  If you know who the  artist is or the origins of this print, please let me know.)

My husband had no clue I was working on a blog post today.  He just posted this quote on Facebook.  I will accept this as God speaking to me (and maybe you too) again!! 


Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust his skill and thank him for his prescription.” - Sir Isaac Newton

Easter 2010

What a glorious day!! Praise Him for He has risen!!!

The Burtons Easter Morning before Worship Service

A few of my CCF Easter "Peeps"!

Mom cooked dinner for us again this year!! (Thanks mom!)

Jim anxiously awaiting his Kona Coffee (my little bro has a Keurig!  I need to repent for coveting)

My little bro being a Barista with his Keurig

Mom and dad playing the role of "old school barista"

My precious Holy with an extra "L" - (Holly)

Ahhhh, a snuggie and a Cadbury Egg.  Life is good!

Old School Easter

Can you feel it?  It's in the air!  No, not the pollen (though it is in the air too). Easter!  I feel Easter.  To me, Easter has always had a feeling like no other holiday.  Here are a few memories that I love about Easter:

1)  Traditional music -  I love the traditional music of Easter.  I am all about me some Contemporary Praise and Worship music 364 days of the year but my inner church-lady comes out on Easter morning.   Somewhere deep inside me,  She (Ms. Church Lady) appears and early on Easter morning, I can't help myself from belting these songs in my "church-lady voice".  "Up From The Grave He Arose....." or how about "Christ The Lord is Risen Today....."

2). White Gloves and Bonnets - I remember being a little girl and anxiously awaiting wearing my new dress to church, complete with little white gloves and an Easter bonnet.  Now that I am all grown-up I must bid farewell to the gloves and hats and wait to see what all the little girls wear to church on Easter Sunday morning.  If I did wear a hat to church on Easter  I think I'd pick this one.  It would go perfect with my purple pinky!! (just saying!):

3)  The candy in my basket:  Is it too embarrassing to tell you that my mom still gives me an Easter basket?  What can I say?  I love it!!  I know there are a few things she puts in my basket every year without fail, including my all time favorite Easter candy:

If I'm lucky, she'll remember my other favorite Easter candy standard:

 (I don't really like jelly beans but I LOVE the licorice ones.  yummy!)

Since I was allergic to chocolate as a child, I always found one of these in my basket each year (yuck!).  Thankfully mom stopped this traditional many years ago:

4). Easter Corsage - Whatever happened to this tradition? Growing up it seems all ladies (young and old) wore these on Easter Sunday.  Never could get them to stay in place.  

5.)  The Easter Beagle - As Linus said, "You'll see. The Easter Beagle won't let us down."

 That was fun....but all of the above (hats, candy, music, Easter beagle) means nothing.

What is important is that Christ died on the cross for our sins and three days later He rose from the grave. He is now seated at the right hand of The Father in Heaven.  The grave is empty.  Jesus is not there!  He is Alive!  Alive forevermore.   We don't need the Easter Beagle (sorry Snoopy!).  We serve a living God who is worthy of ALL of our praise.  He is The King of Kings and Lord of Lord. 

(check out this cool picture I found on-line.  Look at the sea of people being drawn to the cross!)

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose;
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose;
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Happy Easter!