Sad Update

It was my plan to post an update about Isaac Bowers...he is the little fellow I wrote about here. He and his family were awaiting heart surgery at Vanderbilt when he caught some type of infection. Pete received a call just a bit ago letting us know that Isaac had died. As many of you who have had sick children know, being in the hospital is both good and bad: good because our children are given medicines and therapies that give them a chance, but then on the other hand it's a place where germs thrive.

My heart just breaks for Isaac's family because I know how they feel and I know what lies ahead. As we have been praying for little Isaac's healing (which, by the way, our prayers have been answered!), let's now shift gears and pray specifically for the healing of his parents and the rest of his family. Pete and I will be dropping off a GUS Box when we go to the service. If you want to leave a message of condolence or of encouragement, please do so here and I'll make sure it gets to Isaac's family.

Prayers Needed for Kari

Ok, Prayer Warriors...I've got a little gal that needs your prayers! Her name is Kari...she is just a few days old and she has an incomplete aorta, an aortic valve that is too small and she has a hole between the bottom 2 chambers of her heart. Needless to say, this little chick has some serious medical issues and she and her family need our ongoing prayers.

Kari was airlifted to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) last night. The docs there at CHOP are very familiar with the type of surgery she will need and are better equipped to handle it all. Friends of the family made sure that Kari's mom made it to Philadephia in a timely manner...they provided her a charter flight! Seriously, I think that is soooo nice....I was so pleased to hear that mom was able to get to her quickly.

Kari also has two sibling, I believe, so say some extra prayers for them also.

If you have a desire to send an e-card to Kari through CHOP, please e-mail me and I'll pass along the info.

Minkee-liscious Quilts

I just wanted to share with you all these wonderful quilts that have been donated to Gus' Gang! They were made by my friend, Joy Smelser, and they are WONDERFUL....anyone who knows what Minkee is knows that I am not fibbing here! lol!! Joy has backed these quilts with Minkee and has even added a few squares to the front of some of the quilts....Minkee is soooo soft and I think the kids at the hospital will love to feel these quilts and will certainly want to snuggle up with them! Folks, these photos don't do these quilts justice...my design wall is falling down and I just am not a photographer...









Joy also made some little bitty quilts that I've been calling "Stim Quilts" which is short for stimulation quilts. These little quilts have lots of different textures on them which makes them great for the little NICU babies who are a little older and need the stimulation...there's the soft minkee, a waffle texture and satin. Just perfect!!


I am so thankful for Joy and I can't wait to share her wonderful quilts with the Child Life department at our soon-to-be open children's hospital in Johnson City. Pete and I are going tomorrow to the ER Open House and I'll be taking these with us.