Update

So, it is Monday evening and today they took mom off the ventilator. They told us that, since she is opening her eyes, her brain stem that controls that action is functioning. However, the other concern is that the part of the brain stem that controls the breathing may not be in as good of shape. So, the only way to find out if mom will be able to handle her own they decided to slowly take her off the ventilator and get her to breath on her own. We sat, waiting in anticipation to see what would happen. The nurse seems informed us, before the removal, that her breathing is there but not efficient enough to last long term. They think her breathing capacity and her heart beat will slowly decrease until she leaves us. They took her off at 12:30 and as of our departure (7 pm) she was still working hard with a heart beat in the 80s and using about 80% of her lung capacity. We just sit with her and wait. Heather and I spent most of the afternoon using the book "Then Sings My Soul" as a hymnal and singing to mom. It appeared that when we sang and when dad was in the room her heart beat would be up. We now just wait to see what happens. Though this journey has been incredibly emotional, in hind sight I have seen that it has been a blessing to see mom open her eyes as we spoke to her and to hear her breath on her own. We are all basically at the point that if the Lord wants to take her we are willing to let her go to a better place. We have had a great time of bonding and saying goodbye. Mom knows that we love her and my husband assures me that if she doesn't know Jesus will tell her :-) We will continue to keep you posted on the details. She is still fighting...By the way, I have discovered that the hymn "Christ The Lord is Risen Today" is a great comfort but especially the 4th verse:

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

For those of you who have been praying for us I just want to give you a peace of mind. Please don't feel that if mom goes to be with the Lord that your prayers have been in vain or that we have failed. The Lord has made it so clear to us that He is in control and death does not win either way. The best way to describe it will be from a billboard we saw on the way back from Dr. Cooper's house the other day "Life is short. Eternity isn't -God" Amen! To God be the glory!
My little belly is growing and my family keeps telling me that they swear it has gotten bigger since we have been here. People have been taking such great care of us. I have had so much AMAZING food since we have been here and I have eaten a lot!!! I love food! The boys will often just look at me and smile as they laugh at my little belly :-) It has been great spending time with Jon and Heather, now that they are married, and Whit and Jess. The nurses at the hospital keep telling us that they are just so impressed with our family. Mom raised some amazing men of God and the women keep telling us that we need to hold on to them. We plan to! The love they have for mom and each other and the patience they have shown the nurses and doctors has left an impression and they know that it is totally the Lord. This has been a great testimony of His goodness even in the midst of pain and suffering. We cannot thank you enough!
Tomorrow we head to my parents' house to see my mommy for her birthday. She will be 59 and doesn't look a day over 30. This whole thing has made me super grateful for my mommy. So, Concord here we come...