Recent sickness :(

Brielle has been battling bronchitis the past several days. Breathing treatments every 2-4 hours. This morning she woke up with a high fever and labored breathing (retracting ribs, flaring nostrils, very wheezy breathing). After an hour wait to be admitted for a 2 minute chest X-ray...we were able to see Brielle's doctor. 

Dr Henness said the X-ray looked better than her last one. No pneumonia! She has a nasty virus causing a lot of bronchial gunk and inflammation. She'll be on a steroid and another nebulizer med. She said we should see improvement within 24 hours. Thankful for our awesome doctor, no pneumonia, and a happy Brielle!

Just chillin at the doctor's office.

This picture is from a few days ago. Even though Brielle's been coughing up a storm, she's been as happy as can be. She's super excited about her new boots that daddy picked out for her!

(side note: Brielle has a front tooth that is bruised/gray. It happened during her last episode a couple weeks ago. Even with a yucky tooth, she still has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen! )

In honor of Brielle's 4th birthday

I wrote this Saturday evening...the night before Brielle's 4th birthday. 

This extraordinary little human turns 4 years old tomorrow.

 I wish this was an up-to-date picture of her, smiling from ear to ear, 

but it's from about 3 weeks ago. 

As of this evening, she still is not well. 

I could go on and on about her sufferings, and how unfair it is...

but instead, I'm going to talk about the positives...

This little girl is full of an exceptional amount of joy. 
There's something special about her that just beams from her soul. 
She loves intensely. 

She is truly a blessing to all she encounters.

She loves to sing and dance. 
She is fascinated with trains and obsessed with dresses. 
She still wants to be held at night while getting ready for bed. 
She will randomly walk up to you, kiss you and say she loves you 
while squeezing her tiny arms around your neck.

She fights harder than anyone should have to on a regular basis. 
She doesn't give up. 
She is stubborn. 
Even though it's difficult for us sometimes, I'm so thankful she has that trait.

For as skinny as she is and for as often as she gets sick, 
she has an abnormal amount of strength, physically and mentally. 
One day, when she's older, we will share with her how fitting her name is. 
Brielle means God is my strength. 

(May you always believe that and live that truth, little girl.)

I cannot fully explain how much love I have in my heart for this child,
 it feels like it overflows into my soul. 
It still blows my mind that God took a little bit of me, and an little bit of Cody, 
and created this masterpiece named Brielle. 
So thankful He did.