Author Archive: 'Carrow McClendon

Whew… What a crazy day!

Kayleigh and I began our day by going to the St. Jude affiliate in Huntsville. I had thought it would be a quick trip but I miscalculated. We were there almost 3 hours, but thankfully, everything went well and Kayleigh had an overall good report.

We are still battling headaches most evenings. They seem to be worse the more active she has been. Of course, most days are very active days and I don’t foresee that slowing down in the near future. So my prayer is that we will find the right combination of steroids and patience to keep Kayleigh feeling good. I so much would like to get her off of the steroids completely but more than that I want her feeling good!

On a fun note, this evening the kids and I were able to pull off the biggest surprise in the history of our little family. With the help of some amazing friends we managed to get Tim’s jeep to the body shop to get fixed up and painted. It had been my plan to make that happen for his birthday this year but the DIPG diagnosis put a kibosh on that! I was shocked the kids were able to keep it a secret!

As I finally lay myself down here in the wee hours of the morning I cannot help but be completely overwhelmed by our amazing friends, family and community. Everywhere we go people stop me to let me know they are praying for Kayleigh and our family. Anonymous people have paid our check at dinner, complete strangers have donated money to help with expenses, friends have brought us costumes and luggage so we can put together the most magical trip possible.

So while it would be easy to look at today and just see Kayleigh’s headaches – and worry, I am choosing to focus my eyes on bring thankful. Thankful for all the things God has done for us. Thankful for each moment. Thankful for an amazing vacation opportunity. Yes, today is a good day. Did you know when you get busy thanking God for everything that it is nearly impossible to worry? When my eyes are on Him, walking on the water is simple. Eyes toward heaven and one foot in front of the other.

I pray that each of you will take time to rejoice in the Lord, wherever you may be. Even if you’re in the eye of the storm, there are still things to be tankful for, I promise. And God is good to care for his children that are obedient to his teachings.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow 💜

Greetings from the frenzied Disney Packing house! Our trip is quickly approaching and I am working hard to get this family of 5 ready for rest and relaxation! My to do list is still quite long but things are beginning to come together. We have been so blessed by wonderful friends that have loaned us suit cases, costumes, and clothes.

I have nearly all of our documentation together but still have many forms to complete. I would appreciate prayers that I can finish everything by tomorrow evening. I am hoping to have an non-stressful Friday!

Today we managed to lower Kayleigh’s steroids to .5 mg for the whole day. She did have a small headache pop up but Tylenol was able to take care of it – thank you Lord! We visit with the St. Jude affiliate in Huntsville tomorrow to make sure she is doing well. That will certainly make me feel better about leaving! Please pray that we will be able to come up with a plan to get Kayleigh all the way off the steroids without the head aches.

Kayleigh’s big birthday request this year was for pierced ears. However, radiation would have required her to remove the earrings every day so we told her no. So, tonight we had a post radiation celebration and she had her ears pierced. She is so excited!

Our Hartselle Black team is kicking booty on the softball field. They won both of their games today. We are all so proud of you girls!

Until Tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Brave before…

Brave during…

Happy after!!

Thank you Jesus for another day! I’m writing early today because it seems I have plenty of time to kill while I wait for our passports to be produced. Thank you all for praying, while the process is a bit tedious it has been quite smooth!

Our largest hurdle was finding the correct building. We began at the right street and number, but it was SW instead of NW – yikes! Thankfully, we were a bit early. The website says if you are more than 15 minutes late you have to reschedule your appointment. As I am learning to do these days, I stopped to pray first – asking for the Lord to get us there on time and to be able to get our passports today – AND to keep my cool.

As always, God is good. Mom is with me so she was able to navigate. When we got close we saw a police officer and he directed us to nearby parking, and then as we headed out of the parking deck I saw a woman headed for the same elevator. That little voice in my head said “ask her for directions” – I ignored it at first but the Holy Spirit is a persistent fellow; so, as we all approached the elevator I asked if she could tell me where the Passport Agency was located. Guess what her response was? “Oh yes, I work in that building, just follow me.”

Follow me… Doesn’t that cover so many things? Thank you Jesus for answering my prayers so specifically. I am reminded that while I often cannot see even the next step, if I will keep my eyes on Jesus and listen when He says “follow me” I don’t have to be able to see the next step. I just need to see Him.

That makes me think of Peter, asking Jesus to let him walk on the water. I pray I will continue to have the faith to walk on this water. Even as the storm rages and the waves are big. I pray I will keep my eyes on Jesus. I am far from perfect and sometimes my eyes slip, but like Matt 14:31 says, Jesus always reaches out IMMEDIATELY to save me.

Matthew 14:
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

I pray for any of you who read this today, that you will find it in you to hope and believe. To trust that the Lord is good. It’s ok if you can’t see the big picture, God can.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow 💜

This is the princess on the way to Atlanta 💜

Happy Independence Day!

I am so thankful to live in a country where I am free to express myself and my thoughts openly on a forum like this. Where I am free to worship. For all the shortcomings we have as a nation, I am still thankful for the Red, White, and Blue!

Today Kayleigh and I had a wonderful girls date. We slept late, had lunch at Mellow Mushroom and went shopping for the cruise. Most people spend months and months planning and preparing for a trip like this. We’re putting the whole thing together in just a few weeks. I’m generally a pretty spontaneous person but this is pushing it even for me!

We would very much appreciate you prayers on Tuesday. Kayleigh and I are going to drive to Atlanta to the nearest passport agency. Because of Kayleigh’s medical condition we need to get a passport for her so we will have the ability to fly out of a port if necessary. We are not anticipating needing to fly but we do want to have all of our bases covered. Would you please pray with us that we are able to get the passports pushed through and have them in our hands the same day?

On the health front, today is the first day Kayleigh has not had a headache since Friday. All of them have been mild but it is still a little worrisome. Since she did not have a headache tonight we cut tonight’s regular dose in half. If she is still feeling well in the morning I plan to cut that dose in had as well. The doctor told us the longer she is on the steroids the more side effects we could see. Joint pain was one that he mentioned and that is beginning to be a persistent problem. Her feet and ankles are hurting her quite often. Please pray that we are able to lower the dose and that she still feels good. Our prayer is to get off the steroids as quickly as possible!

Thank you all for your wonderful support and prayers. We love you very much!

John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Thank you Jesus that my hope is in you!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow 💜

Thankful for the Caroline Cart at Target. Kayleigh’s feet and ankles were hurting but she wanted to keep shopping. This made that work!

Getting ready for fireworks 

Today has been wonderful. Kayleigh still tires quickly but a couple of cat naps during the day had her going strong until 10:00 p.m.! We enjoyed being at church and having our small group over for dinner and swimming. We even snuck in a few fireworks before bed.

As I lay down after another precious day all I can do is continue to thank our Heavenly Father for his continuous provision and blessings. Our Sunday School lesson this morning was about remembering to tell God “thank you” when He answers our prayers and having an attitude of thankfulness. Too often we get wrapped up in our wants and asking God for things like He is a genie in a lamp. We forget that we were created by God because He wanted to have a relationship with us!

Think about your own relationships, no one likes those friends that only call or text when they want something. It’s even worse when those same people never say thank you! God is the same way, He wants a relationship with us. Not just have us show up to talk to Him when we want something. And, He wants us to be thankful for everything He has given us. Thankfully, God has made that relationship easy to acquire for anyone who wants it.

Revelation 3:20
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Even after all these years walking with the Lord it still amazes me that He wants me. The God of the Universe cares about me so much that he sent Jesus to die for me. He loves me so much He plans each detail of my life. It is so humbling. It also supplies me with unmeasurable peace.

So, I’m going to keep asking the Lord for Kayleigh’s healing and protection for our family because the bible tells me to do that. But I am also going to be mindful to spend time with the Lord just being still and listening. And I’m going to remember to say “thank you” more often.

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Here are some of my many blessings. Thank you Heather at HMP for this beautiful magic!