Bay Pointe Easter

Easter was celebrated in a glorious fashion. Abe (the most famous bass guitarist in the world) joined the Bay Pointe Choir and the church rocked!

Michael has a great voice, so he was in the choir. Can you find him?

Loretta does not have a good voice, so she photographed the services.

Over 2440 attended Easter services. Wow!

If you are looking for a great church experience, please join us! We would love to see you there!

It's a Birthday Party for Loretta's Mom!

My mother turned 80 on March 13. She knew that my sister and I would give her a surprise party, so she decided to have her own party. She invited everyone she wanted and we will all be there to enjoy her party on Saturday.

I like her logic. We could guess who she would want at her party, or we could let her decide. She decided. 125 of her closest friends and family will be there.

Mom survived Stage 3B ovarian cancer ten years ago, so we are really celebrating that she is still with us. She beat all odds, since the "normal" life expectancy of Stage 3B cancer is eighteen months. Way to go Mom!

She also works at Subway five days a week.

I look just like my mother. I think I will start acting like her, too!

Loretta

Miracles Do Happen! Thank God!

Thank God for miracles! Thank you for praying! God answers!
This came from Jill a few minutes ago.
Loretta

Well, we are are breathing a huge sigh of relief and thanking God for a miracle. Jenny is out of ICU, off of the ventilator and seems on the way back to her old self. She will remain in the hospital for the next few days as they continue her course of IV meds, monitor and evaluate her. The baby appears to be fine.

It is hard to fathom that someone could be so sick, so close to not making it, and come around as quickly as she has. The progress she has made since coming off of the vent and stopping sedation is baffling even for the doctors. We don't have an specific diagnosis of the cause. They are calling it bacterial meningitis, respiratory failure and seizure.

I don't think we can ever express how much it helped for us to know you were all supporting us and praying for Jenny and the family.

Jenny is is Butterworth Hospital, in the OB high Risk ward room 4431. She is able to take calls & visitors. We anticipate her being back in Traverse by the weekend if she continues on the same path.

We are truly in shock and awe.

Lots of Love,

Jim & Connie, Brian & Laurel, Jill & Louie, Kim, Brian & Brandon

Latest Jennnifer Update

This came from Jill today. Let's keep her in prayer! Thank you. Loretta

Jenny is receiving excellent care are Butterworth. She is still in ICU.

She is still breathing with the respirator. She has regained consciousness but is being kept heavily sedated. She is very sick, exhausted and uncomfortable. When she is awake, she is aware we are there and can shake her head yes and no. She seems to be able to move her arms and legs but she is restrained so she does not disturb the tubes and IV's she is on.

The cause of the infection that started all of this is still unknown. It's a little like an episode of HOUSE.

She is able to receive visitors. However, the family is asking that for now, visitors wait until she is out of ICU. Because of the sedation, she does not remember much from one day to the next. We feel it is important now for her to rest as much as possible so that she can be awake for the Doctors to evaluate her.

While things are looking better, she has a long way to go, and it will be a long time until we know if their will be any lasting effects from the trauma her brain has suffered. The baby is still looking good

We are reading the words of love and support you are sending to her and she knows and feels it all. Your Prayers and love have helped so much to hold us together through this.

I will try to update again soon.

Love,
Jill

No new updates

We have not heard from Jennifer's family since she arrived in Grand Rapids.
Please continue to pray.
We will update as soon as we hear anything.

Thank you!

Loretta

Letter from Jill about Jennifer

I received this from Jill last night. Jennifer was flown to Grand Rapids yesterday.

Jen is in the air. She is in a Med-evac Leer 35 with Jim (her father, a doctor), Brian (Jennifer's husband), and urgent care doc and nurse. They will arrive late tonight in Grand Rapids. She will be in ICU. She is still on the ventilator. She is extremely uncomfortable but seems to be holding her own. We are praying for a safe flight and for Jenny to have the strength to endure it.

While in the ICU, Jenny will not be able to have flowers, balloons etc. We will be able to read her cards and if anyone wants to email us words of your encouragement and love for her, we will read them to her. We have been sharing your messages with her and she does know that you are praying and pulling for her. It is obvious to us she feels your support.

Your love, kindness and support has been overwhelming and a source of strength at this terrifying time. We love you and thank God for all of you.

Jill and the Frye Family


This came a few minutes after the first email. We have not heard any updates today.

Loretta,

Thank you thank you thank you for rallying all the support and the prayers. Jenny needs them.

She is still gravely ill. Dr. Jim truly feared the air transport but felt it was our only chance for her to make it. She is 100% breathing on a ventilator, with a tremendous amount of pneumonia in her lungs.

She can acknowledge our presence but cannot speak. We are still trying to confirm which bacteria she is fighting.

Please keep your prayers coming. She has a strong spirit. We know with faith she can overcome this, but she has a long way to go. All we can do tonight is pray she will endure the flight. We will be able to update again tomorrow.

Thank you for all your concern,

Jill

Please, please continue with your prayers. Thank you, Loretta

Britt's Senior Portrait Session

Loretta had a wonderful time photographing Britt's senior portrait session today. Britt had many expressions that were all beautiful! It was very difficult choosing our favorites!

What gorgeous eyes!

Update on Jennifer

Hi everyone,

Jennifer has had a setback today. She is totally dependent on the respirator.

Her family wants to get her out of Mexico, since the Mexican medical care is not what she should be getting. They are trying to get her on a medivac to transfer her to Traverse City if possible, or to Houston, Texas if she cannot travel for that length of time.

Please, please keep uplifting Jennifer and her family in your prayers. Please have your prayer warrior friends pray for her, too.

Thank you,

Loretta

No News

I have not heard anything from Jill since last night, but I know that hundreds of our friends and their friends are praying for Jennifer and Brian, Laurel and her unborn baby brother.

Here is Laurel's image from Christmas. I am also including images of Jill and Luis and Jennifer and Brian at Luis and Jill's wedding. Sometimes it helps to put a face to your prayers.

Pray, pray, pray!

Thank you,

Loretta

Prayer update

I just received an email update from Jennifer's sister. They have moved her to a modern facility, but she is still in ICU, unresponsive and on a respirator. Jill says the baby is okay right now, but the situation is critical.

The family is very comforted by our prayers. Please keep praying.

Thank you,

Loretta

pray, pray, pray

It is with great sadness that I am asking for your prayers.

Our client and friend, Jennifer Walter is in a coma and on a respirator in a Mexican hospital.

Jennifer and her family were on vacation in Mexico when this happened yesterday afternoon. Her sister Jill emailed us to let us know. They think that Jennifer has a bacterial infection that caused a seizure. Jill says that the situation is very grave. Jennifer's father is a doctor, but I do not know how much he can do in a Mexican hospital.

We photographed Jennifer and Brian's wedding five years ago, and Luis and Jill's wedding last fall. Jennifer and Brian have a nine month old daughter (wearing the Santa hat in the Christmas blog) and Jennifer is six months pregnant with a son.

Please pray for Jennifer and her family.

Please let your praying friends and family know, so that they can pray for Jennifer, too.

Thank you,

Loretta

Happy Birthday Emma!

Emma turns eight today! She is such a pretty eight year old!

Have a wonderful birthday!

Bunny Day #2 from Loretta

Here we go!

I have to show you the most adorable identical twin boys! They were so much fun!

They are joined by their big sister, Mya.

It was a day of great interaction, wonderful expressions and gorgeous spring outfits.

Lindsay gave Buster a great big kiss for his hard work. He was a super bunny!

Buster was joined by Remus (black and white bunny) and Lunchmeat (brown bunny - we changed his name to Cocoa!). They all worked very hard to entertain the children.

Our friend Tammy and her daughter Ally were our rabbit wranglers. They were a blessing!

We sent Lindsay home to fall into a heap. She was a super Child Whisperer, who worked very hard to get great expressions. We could not have done the sessions without her.

Thanks to all of the families who joined us! We had such a good time!

The Bunnies Are Here!

The bunnies arrived yesterday and we have had fun ever since. The children loved spending time with them. Our bunny supplier even brought in her very favorite Flemish Giant bunny for her daughter. You will be able to see the bunny, which is the largest bunny in one of the images.

The children all had very nice outfits to celebrate spring. Too bad it was so cold out today!

More fun coming tomorrow!

Cameron is back!

Cameron entertained us today for his one year portrait. He is so smart, so active and so handsome! We had to share a few of his images with you!


Do you recognize that great expression? It is almost the same as his nine month portrait!
I love it!

Great job Cameron!

Michael and Miss America

On behalf of Miss Heart of Michigan, Michael presented this poster of Miss Heart of Michigan contestants to Miss America. All of the contestants autographed the poster. Kirsten was very excited to receive the poster.

Michael had a wonderful time! He was able to meet all of the top ten Miss America finalists. Each of them performed their talents, just like they did at Miss America.

More images of the weekend will follow. Check the Miss Heart of Michigan web site for even more! www.missheartofmichigan.org