packing, preparations, people & prayers

packing - I have been packing for a week now and I still have so much more to do but I should have no problem being ready by Monday or being gone for a month. My only problem will be listening to Brandon complain about how much I pack :) preparations - From arrangements for Crosby to paying bills and cooking extra dinner to ironing Brandon's work clothes for when he's back at work and we are still at the hospital I have been very BUSY with preparations. The 'busy' has been a very good distraction though, it helps me not to dwell on the 'what ifs' of the next few weeks. people - People are already pouring out so much love for us. We have been recieving cards, letters, gifts, calls, emails, texts, etc... ALREADY and it just amazes me how people are reaching out...ALREADY. God is love and you people are definitely his hands and feet at work. I'll post pics once we are at the hospital of these but the 'well wishes' for after surgery from Camilla's classmates written on rainbows have been so moving... words written by children her age reading 'you are cured', 'you can talk to us', 'you are not scared' move me to tears every time I think of them. prayers - We already feel surrounded by and lifted up by prayers. Peace is setting in and it is a welcome friend. Thank you all and please keep them coming. We know without a doubt that these next few weeks will be the most difficult we will ever endure. We also pray that they are some of our most dear - ones in which we will see miracles take place, ones in which dreams will come true and mostly ones in which God will be glorified. Specific prayer requests include peace for all of us but especially Camilla; comfort, understanding and tolerance for Camilla; safe and successful surgeries; clear and easy decisions; and no seizures following the last surgery. Camilla - She is such a happy child. The last few days have been filled with so much laughter and other than her morning fits (she's not a morning person - she gets it from her Mommy) she is smiling and playing most of the day. Except, of course, during seizures and they are pretty bad right now. They have moved to the severe catagory and are lasting longer than usual and are very disturbing to watch even though we are only seeing 4-5 per day. We have been talking to her about the surgery and she looks at us with so many questions in her eyes as we explain things to her - especially the part about her not having any hair for awhile after this (this will be especially difficult for her vain Mommy too). Thank you all so much for your prayers and for going through this journey with us all. If you want to get my (more frequent) facebook updates you can friend me at Kelley Jacobs Smith. Schedule for now is preop work at Children's in Birmingham at 2:00 Monday and return for grid placement early Tuesday morning, resection surgery is set for the following Tuesday. "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11