Prayers for Mammaw

If you would, please remember my mammaw, Athalee Caskey in your prayers. She is in Jackson Parish Hospital with gallstones and a bladder infection. Also seems as if some crazy cut happy doctors (who have no clue what they are talking about) want to do surgery even though, because of her age and condition, she has already been declared NOT a candidate for surgery. And of course, the treatment she is getting at JPH is not the best in the world.

So say some prayers for Mammaw and Aunt Pat and Aunt Nita as they are there tending to her. Mom is still with us helping take care of the twins.

And yes, pics are hopefully coming tomorrow!

Jindal's Answer Great for Louisiana

Bobby Jindal's decision NOT to accept the VP position from McCain is a great decision for the state of Louisiana. Jindal is doing a fantastic job for my home state and to loose him this early on would be a disaster for what could become one of, if not the greatest government turnarounds in our nations history.

Also, even though I think Jindal is conservatism's next big thing, he does need more experience. He's only been in his job a few months now and does need to prove himself. But if he can spend 4 or 8 years as Louisiana governor and turn things around, I don't think he'll have any problem sailing on to the White House.

Jindal 2012 or Jindal 2016 anyone?!

And yes, as much as I like Huckabee, I would support Jindal over him in a heartbeat. So my dream ticket? Jindal/Huckabee! Who said the south would never rise again!? LOL

New Pics Coming Soon

The twins were one month old this past Wednesday (July 16th) and yes, I know, I have been horrible at getting pictures uploaded.

But don't worry, new pics are on the way. Really soon . . . I promise! :)

Help Elect Barak Obama!

Please read the full article before you think I'm actually endorsing Obama. This is what I have been saying all along (even since the early days of the Republican primary). One of the biggest problems in the Christian faith right now is that everyone knows what we are against, but they don't know what (or who) we are for. Click here to read the article.

Back from Camp . . . for a Moment

We got back from StudentLife Camp at Louisiana Tech on Thursday. Awesome camp! We saw one salvation and I think all came away with a deeper commitment (let's pray it lasts beyond the camp high). God also showed me some great things and new directions.

Of course, I missed my wife and kids like crazy. And just as we get back, I will leave next Friday to go with our children to Centri-Kid. Fortunately, this is only a 3 day/2 night camp. I think that format is a lot better for kids- especially those that have never been away from home.

Kennedy, Kaitlyn, and Chloe are all doing fine. So is Melissa. Its still taking some adjusting to having babies back in the house (especially two!). And trust me, if you have never had multiples or two very close in age/stage under the same roof- you do not know what its like. But if you want to find out, feel free to come stay a night with us!

Chloe continues to amaze us with her wit and vocabulary. The other night, as we are getting ready for bed, she wanted to listen to Daddy's new radio (my iPod can dock with it) and listen to Mr. James (James Tealy). She wanted her MeMe (Jason's mom) to come listen as well and on the way back to the radio Chloe comments, "You'll really like him MeMe, he's certainly wonderful!" James, don't know if you want to add that to your list of endorsements, but to our 4 year old you are "Certainly wonderful!" :)

Good Reports

This past week both Melissa and the twins had doctor's visits. Melissa was doing so good that Dr. Purdy said she can drive again and can also resume light housework. People around here can not believe how good she is getting around and how good she looks.

Kennedy & Kaitlyn went to see Dr. Byram on Thursday and are looking wonderful. Kennedy weighed 6 lbs and Kaitlyn weighed 5 lbs 11 oz! They are gaining weight wonderfully and beginning to look more alike every day. And yes, we all still have problems telling them apart!

Girls Doing Good

Just got back from Rush Hospital (great hospital to have babies in btw!) where the girls had to have a recheck of their Billy Rubin count (to test for jaundice). They both had great scores and are looking fine. Kennedy has a really bad diaper rash, but other than that they and Melissa are doing well. And yes, they finally let us get some sleep last night (Friday). Hopefully that will continue! :)

They're Here!

Yes!! After 37 weeks and 2 days of waiting Kennedy & Kaitlyn have arrived on the scene! I apologize for taking so long to get this posted, but do you know how hard it is to find wi-fi connections in Meridian!?

Here's the facts:

Kennedy Lynn Knippers

6 lbs, 1 oz. ~ 19.5 Inches ~ 6:58 pm

Kaitlyn Jean Knippers

5 lbs, 3 oz. ~ 18 Inches ~ 7:01 pm

This pic was taken only a few hours after they were born, and no it is not posed! Yes, they were naturally holding each other's hands!! Talk about a twin sister connection! (BTW, Kennedy is on the left and Kaitlyn is on the right.)

To bring you up to speed on how this week came about, Monday, June 16 was the beginning of VBS at our church. Jason was at work when Wilma (Melissa's mother) called his cell about 10:00 am. Melissa was not feeling well (she had been having pains all night) and had begun vomiting several times during the morning. Jason talked to Melissa and told her to call Dr. Purdy's office and see what they wanted her to do. They wanted her to come to the OB floor at Rush for observation. A c-section was scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th, but needless to say we were all ready for them to come on and get here- especially Melissa.

They determined Melissa was dehydrated and they started treating here with IV fluids. They had her discontinue her three medications she was on around the clock to control the contractions (remember we had been to the hospital 4 times since April for pre-term labor). However, this is normal (we are told) around the 37th week anyway. 

So it seemed that she was going to be treated for the dehydration and released. (You mean we have to come back and go through this all again!?) However, around 2:00 or 3:00 her contractions started coming back with a vengeance.  Dr. Purdy was not on call, Dr. Seale was. And while we were glad Dr. Seale was there (we've always liked him), of course Melissa was somewhat upset that Dr. Purdy would not be there if something did go ahead and happen.

Well, something did go ahead and happen. Around 4:30 pm, we found out that Dr. Seale had scheduled Melissa for an emergency c-section. She was definitely in labor and being at term, there was no more need to wait. Now, while we were all glad to hear this, we also did not have any cameras, no video camera, nothing as we went to the hospital more for vomiting and not contractions. So, pics will be somewhat limited at first, but trust me, we will post everything we have.

Around 6:00 pm, to our joyous surprise, Dr. Purdy pops in the door. It seems that Dr. Seale had stopped by his office and let me know he was fixing to do a c-section on Melissa. Dr. Purdy had nothing else going on so he said he would do it with Dr. Seale assisting. God answers prayers!!! Dr. Purdy is fabulous (Dr. Seale is pretty good himself!) and if you are in need of an OB-GYN in East Central Mississippi, you need to se him. Thank you Dr. Purdy!

So, they continue to get Melissa prepped and around 6:30 she is wheeled back to the OR. Lynn, Jason's mom, was able to get to the hospital around 6:00 pm so she was in time for the delivery. And at 6:58 Kennedy was born followed by Kaitlyn at 7:01 pm on Monday, June 16.

Melissa and the girls are both doing fabulous. We have to go back tomorrow (Saturday) for a repeat blood test for the girls' Billy Rubin (sp?) level (to test for jaundice). But as far as we can tell, they are both looking great.

Everyone came home Thursday (which was a very sleepless night!) and we are beginning to settle in to a routine. Obviously, we will continue to post (as long as we have an internet connection! LOL)

Thank you so much to all of our friends, family, and church members for your prayers, gifts, food, and support. They have all been felt very much.

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Great Report

Went to see Dr. Purday again yesterday (Tuesday, June 10) and everything is looking great. Melissa is still fully closed and measuring 43 weeks. Both babies had good heartbeats. 

We are still set for delivery on Tuesday, June 24th. Melissa is continuing to have contractions, but they ease off with the medication.

Pray that we don't have to make another hospital run until it is time as Dr. Purdy is not on call anymore (and we don't trust two of the other doctors!)

I'm Coming to Ruston

Forgot to mention in the newsletter, that I will be in Ruston from June 29 to July 3 for StudentLife Camp at Louisiana Tech. Can you believe I said I would never again stay in those dorms! Never say never!!

I would love to visit with all of our friends while I'm there. Let me know when's a good time. 

Of course I will have plenty pics of the twins! :)