Play ball!

We officially made it through Caed's first t-ball game......in one piece. And no, Mommy didn't cry the entire time. ha! However, as I sat and watched him play and noticed how "normal" he looked, I realized no one there even knew Caed's story nor his current condition (other than his coach). That's actually a good thing. The fact that he has come SO FAR from one year ago today.....he is so strong....so brave....and one of the greatest joys in my life. I couldn't help but just thank God over and over tonight as I sat up in the bleachers. He had mercy on my son! And I believe the best is yet to come for Caed. Thank YOU ALL for your continued prayers for him. We do not take them for granted, and believe that it just might have been because of them that God chose to heal him. May the Lord bless you abundantly!!!!

The game was.....well......if you've ever watched a 5 yr. old t-ball game, then you know just how this one was too. Many players tried so hard to make a short cut home by skipping the first 2 bases. It was lots of fun! Caed did awesome. The coach put him at pitcher the first inning. Now, you wouldn't think the pitcher would have much responsibility in a T-BALL game, but Caed caught every hit.....and threw right to first like he was told. I even over heard a dad sitting nearby say...."Man, that pitcher is good!" ha! Made a mama proud. However, it's not Caed's athletic ability that caused me to be proud of him. I'm simply proud of all the obstacles he was able to overcome this past year. He is truly one amazing little boy! With one AWESOME God carrying him every step of the way!!!!


Pre-game pep talk

Baseball pics

Game over.....................Celina won!


One proud Mommy

Not a total loss

We have been SO excited getting ready for Caed's 1st t-ball game tonight. After practice Sat. we drove all over the metroplex desperately searching for SMALL orange baseball socks. Caed got him some new cleats and an orange bat. When we got home Todd noticed the bat is called "OMAHA"......ha! too funny. It rightly should as much time as he spent practicing there in Nebraska. Anyway, he is all set.....has everything he needs....and even has an awesome attitude to go along with it! Now, all we need is a game! Well....sadly our coach called us today saying it had been canceled due to some Kindergarten program up at school. ugghhh! We were so sad. When I told Caed, he just hung his head. But, I reminded him of all the other games on the schedule. (10 to be exact) Not sure honestly who's disappointed more.....Caed.....or his mommy and daddy? Oh! If the school ONLY KNEW what a let down this is to us, surely they would reschedule their program! ha!

However, today was not a total "loss." Caed pulled his 2nd tooth! He was so very excited, and it sure helped him get his mind off the game tonight.

**Game Update: just got another call from Caed's coach...looks like the game is back on for tomorrow night! yea!!!!!






Caleb helping his big sister with her schoolwork.............or vice versa, not sure.



Fun in the tub ~ These two stayed in the bathtub for several hours yesterday.......and the bottle of bubbles is now empty!



"This is the way the gentlemen ride............"




"This is the way the COWBOYS ride!!!!!!!........................"
(Grandaddy began singing this song to Caleb when he was barely old enough to sit up)

"I'm here for CAED!"

I got a call this afternoon from our home infusion company (the one I love so much.......not!). There was a new voice on the other end of the line, and I was a little annoyed having to re answer ALL the same questions we've been dealing with since Dec. After I had been talking for awhile, the woman said, "Calm down dear....I'M here for Caed. Whatever he needs.....I will make sure he gets!" I was in complete shock. This surely wasn't the same company that had continuously caused my blood pressure to rise with every phone call. She went on to say how she "worked MUCH differently than.......(our previous pharmacist). She told me how her philosophy is "the patient's needs come 1st!" I responded with...."well, thank you!....YOU are truly an answer to our prayers." She laughed and said she had NEVER heard that one before!

So.....on Tues. they will be delivering everything Caed needs....and this time we won't have to pay a dime!

Thank you Lord AGAIN how You prove Yourself Faithful!!!!!!

Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink (tube feeds included); or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:25-27)

**just a little "poop update" : Caed only had 2 stools yesterday! That is a 1st!!!!!! The past month or so, his frequency has dropped to only 3-5/day. HE IS MAKING TREMENDOUS PROGRESS!!!!!! Can't wait to tell NE! (earlier this fall he was averaging 10-12) Now, we just need to pray his upcoming scope and sm. bowel series say the same thing.

2 for 2

....well, almost.

First off, the regular old Arm & Hammer seems to be just fine. We switched from the $180 bottle(s) of liquid to the 62 cents of powder. Caed hasn't skipped a beat. Yea!!!!

Then, I just got off the phone with our insurance company. They have been nothing but top-rate from the get go. The man I talked to was in shock at supposedly what our home infusion company has been telling us. He read me off our policy concerning enteral nutrition and said there is NO reason they should be denying us feeding bags. He told me where to go to on the website, and then stopped and said, "No, ma'am, can you just give me your company's number and I will personally speak to them about this matter?" wow! Talk about service!! Of course the person I usually have to deal with was out of the office, but he left a very detailed message on her machine. So, hopefully all will be worked out, but I'm not holding my breath. The lady with our home infusion co. generally puts up quite a fight.....unfortunately. But, I am encouraged none the less.

My next prayer is that when we go to NE in a few weeks, the drs. lower his time on the pump to only at night....then we won't have to worry about this whole "bag issue!" :)

Thank you again for your prayers concerning these matters.

God is GOOD!

All smiles

....this is the look I got when Caed and his Daddy walked into the house tonight after t-ball practice!!! Yea!!! We were worried because he has continued to talk negatively about playing. Just insisting that he "did not want to play this year." We have continued to encourage him and also kindly remind him daily of THE RULE where you "can't quit if you've already paid!" ha!! (that was actually mom and dad's rule) Anyway, we decided it would be better if just he and his Daddy went to practice tonight. Todd said he was a little whiny in the beginning, but stopped very quickly. The coaches were shocked (to say the least) to see him throw! He may be little, but he has always had quite an arm. ha! He and Todd are going to make a special trip soon to buy him some cleats and a new bat.

Thank you for continuing to pray about this issue. I know it may seem small, but for us.....this is such an important year. Thank you Lord for allowing him to have a good, fun practice!!!!!

Many of you have e-mailed me concerning his t-ball schedule. So, to make it easier I will simply post it (or at least the home games):

Mon. 4/6 (6:00pm) Old Celina Park 1
Sat. 4/11 (10:00am) Old Celina Park 2
Fri. 4/24 (6:00 pm) Old Celina Park 1
Mon. 4/27 (6:00pm) Old Celina Park 1
Tues. 5/5 (6:00pm) Old Celina Park 2

$179.40

...that's the difference in the cost of these two "medications" each month. And yet, they are basically the same thing. Sodium Bicarbonate. The one on the left is in liquid form, and I am guessing gentler on the gut. In some SBS patients however, the regular old stuff can cause excess gas and bloating. No one enjoys that, but I am going out on a limb here and thinking for those with digestive issues (ie....short gut), it would be worse. We have decided to give the powder a try! Again, this may seem like an odd prayer request, but this is where we find ourselves today.

We are also continuing to have a few problems with our home infusion company. I tried many months ago to find an alternative. Each and every phone call ended the same way....."Sorry, ma'am, we can't help you, but we know of a company that can..........." And of course they would suggest the very one we're trying to get away from!!!! We have had experience with this company in NE, and they were incredible!!! Top rate service! We developed a relationship with them, and grew to love our pharmacist. Our time in Lubbock also proved very positive with the home infusion co. there. Zero complaints. So far, here in Dallas, it's been more of "suck it up, and just go with it.....you don't have a choice." Although a few days ago, after talking to the Feeding Dept. with this company, I literally hung up in tears. (not a first with them) We are experiencing a new struggle in this whole ordeal. Things that were once "covered by insurance" are now no longer......according to this company. Things that my son has to have. (and I'm not talking about the latest video game) Something that is vital to his health and healing.

After a good cry, as HE always does, the Lord calmed me down and reminded me of a very familiar verse: And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

These are a few of our needs. We all have them. All the time. There is always something that we are in need of. Sometimes it is tangible. Other times it is not. I know personally SO MANY of you and your current situations. Some are in need of financial stability..... healing from sicknesses that have plagued you or your loved ones for years.....clarity in decisions regarding the future and God's will for your life....forgiveness....a fresh start.....a baby of your own!

God sees all.
He loves deeply.
He provides perfectly.........................in HIS timing and through HIS ways.