The last 'first time'

Caed's official first year of baseball has ended. And what a year it was! According to Caed and his teammates.....they are the CHAMPIONS! (since they won ALL of their games) Little do they know Celina t-ball doesn't keep score - everyone WINS!! ha... They were a good little team though.



This was the beginning......for 2 beyond ecstatic parents dreaming of the day their son could be out on the field playing ball "just like the rest." But he wasn't. This little boy was different. He had endured a year of tremendous pain and suffering. His world had been turned upside down in the blink of an eye and his family torn apart. Everything he knew.....was no longer. But OUR GOD was there! He held Caed in his protective, loving, merciful Hands, and because of that......our child was able to experience every little boy's "right of passage."

Every coach, parent, and child on Caed's team this year was new to us. We had never met or seen any of them before. Therefore, none knew of Caed's medical history. I had tried to "briefly" explain to Caed's coach at the beginning of the season without overwhelming him. I don't think all the "short gut info" was something he was expecting when he called that night. :) But because Caed is just on tube feeds 15 hrs. a day.....he has lots of "free time." Therefore Caed was never hooked up when he went to practices or games. I truly believe the coach forgot most of what I told him about Caed's condition....(not to fault him). But when you see Caed out and about....playing....running....jumping.....swimming.....being silly.....people forget. I forget! Caed ended up being one of the better players on his team this year. I think he just naturally has some God given athletic ability, and it definitely showed out on the field. So, today when Caed's teammates joined together for an end-of-season party and to hand out trophies......it definitely caught people off guard to see him wearing this backpack and a tube going into his tummy. They had NO idea. And CAED!!! Like I said....he was one of the best.

Times like these do 2 things for me:

1) make me a little sad and cause me to remember that Caed IS different. None of the other little boys have to be hooked to a machine every night. And their mommies probably don't worry when they are getting their little boys dressed b/c of a G-tube protruding from their abdomens. When we go to swimming pools or water parks, I see all the little kids and their bare tummies. They have no scars running down the middle of their abdomen and a G button sitting on top. Sometimes it's just a constant reminder that he may look and act normal outwardly....but inwardly he is not. (I am also aware these are the times satan attacks me most)

2) it also makes me THRILLED beyond words to see him OUT.....playing and fitting in to the rest of the group just like he's one of them. And 9 times out of 10, no one knows. They think he's just a regular little boy having fun out on the t-ball field or sliding down a water slide. That blesses my heart! THANK YOU GOD for your healing power!

We had a terrific 1st season of baseball. It started out a little rough, but Caed jumped in there and did wonderful! His coach told Todd and I he'll be looking for Caed in a few years for the select team. I have no idea whether baseball will be "Caed's thing" or not. He definitely is good enough, but the Lord may have something else he wants him to do. We don't know. But....regardless what it is......we just pray the Lord uses Caed...... to touch others and show them of the Mighty Awesome God we serve!

Thank You Lord for your continued Faithfulness!



(Caed....sitting bottom left)


safe!!!!!!!!


handing out trophies



At last! The much anticipated TROPHY!!!!!