Nebraska Summer

(Caed's new summer do......he goes by the name of "Hawk" now) :)



Well, this is a first for us...spending time in NE during the hot summer. We were blown away by the humidity. Definitely didn't expect that. We decided to combine a little family "vacation" with Caed's dr. appts. this time, since Reagan has been begging us to let her come back. And the last time Caleb was here, he was only 6 mo. old.

The testing will start this week. Caed has been doing WONDERFUL (ever since we got back on all feeds and meds in March)! However, currently he is only on 400ml (120/hr) for 6 nights. We allow him to have "free Fridays" where he can go to bed tube free! I think in the intestinal rehab world, that is virtually nothing. So, we are very curious to hear what Dr. M has to say. We are, however expecting Caed to stay on tube feeds through the summer at least (due to the hot summers in Texas and the high probability of dehydration). But....will possibly be tube FREE by Sept!

So far, we have had a WONDERFUL time here in NE. So good, in fact...it's deserving of its very own post! Many of you have prayed for Aria and her parents Anita & Hamish from New Zealand. Well, yesterday after a very long year, we finally met FACE to FACE!! I will write about it in detail in a few days.....

Thanks for your prayers. So far, so good. Tomorrow Caed will have what he grudgingly likes to call the "all day tummy pictures." It's a small bowel series, and should last 1-2 hours. For Caed, we generally are the first radiology patient of the day and then are the last to leave (6-7 hr. x ray). It's not painful at all (just a little discomfort for Caed as the barium makes its way through), but just VERY LONG and boring for a nearly 7 yr. old boy. Please just pray specifically for this test. It always is very nerve racking for Todd and I. Outwardly Caed is a 100% normal little boy. This test always reminds us otherwise. Just pray for no dilated loops in the bowel or any other areas that look "suspicious."

Will post tomorrow after we speak with the drs.

Pre-Teen camp

Reagan attended her very 1st church camp this past week (Pre-Teen Camp at Mt. Lebanon), and I went along as one of the sponsors. She loved it!!! But....boy are we wiped out!

Thank you Grammy for coming and staying here for a week. We know Caed and Caleb were quite a handful....but we appreciate and love you SO VERY MUCH for helping us out!!

1st year.....down!

Typically you find Mommy's crying the 1st day of Kindergarten. Me, on the other hand, never shed a tear that day. However, today....the last day.....I sobbed like a baby walking out of that school! It had absolutely nothing to do with Caed....just me feeling like I was losing a friend.



Mrs. Smith. Where do I even begin? The Lord brought us together 3 yrs. ago...as we both had something the other one needed. I needed some extra income and she needed someone to watch her 3 month old baby girl. A friendship quickly developed and I knew right away she was special. We had only lived in Celina a few months and I didn't have many friends at the time. She was literally a God-send!! She walked through Caed's ordeal with us....supporting him the entire time. Last year, when Todd and I decided to send the kids to public school, I was scared to death for Caed. He hadn't been out of my sight (medically) for over a year. To say sending him away for 7 hrs. a day was hard, would be quite the understatement. However, when I found out he would be in Anna's class.....my heart was instantly eased. She knew Caed.....PRE-sickness! She knew everything he had been through, and I was certain she really cared for him and would "look out" for him. And she did...

I began watching her 2 kids a few days a week the last month of school. What fun to see how that tiny little baby had grown and to get to know her "new" brother (which is Caleb's age). Probably the main reason for my tears today was because Mrs. Smith is moving. We are SO excited for her family....and yet grieve our loss.

I could not have asked for a better 1st teacher for Caed. Not only was she a dear friend, but an excellent teacher. Caed was as disinterested in anything school-related as you could get, but now he has a love for learning and an excitement that he certainly did not have a yr. ago.

Thank you Anna! I know our friendship is not over.....just taking on a different feel. I look forward to hearing all the exciting things that will take place in your new home, and watch those "babies" grow up!!! Thank you for EVERYTHING!



Reagan also did a great job this year in 3rd!! Her year was little bit different. Since she had been home schooled from Kinder to 2nd....this was a BIG transition for her! Everyone else in her class had sat in desks, carried backpacks, ate lunch in a cafeteria, walked the hallways, or raised their hand in class. They knew "the system." It was like an 8 yr. old experiencing the first day of Kindergarten. She was excited, yet scared to death. It took a few months to work through all of the 'labeling' she endured, but she came through it like a pro! She thrived.....made all A's and lots of friends...LOVED her teachers....and we are so thankful for God's protection and care over her this past school year.




The whole reason for sending my kids to school this past year was 100% for me. Physically and emotionally I had reached my limit after getting off the ride of my life. I'm no psychiatrist, but I'm fairly convinced I was suffering from some Post Traumatic Stress as well. I desperately needed some time to heal....time to rest.....and time to re-bond with the baby I lost. And that's exactly what we got! This past school year was wonderful for Caleb and I, and I am so grateful to the Lord for providing it. And all the while, knowing that my other 2 'babies' were in safe hands.

Thank you Lord yet again for Your steadfast Faithfulness in the Hollingsworth Home!

Home....RUN!

Caed officially scored his first (coach-pitch) home run last night! He was so excited.....we were ecstatic! This was his last game of the season and Grandaddy & Nana were here in Celina visiting. Before his game he told me he really wanted to hit a home run for them. His first time up to bat....sure enough he DID IT! Smashed hard right over the 3rd baseman's head. His whole team played wonderful last night.....a great way to end the season.

Caed was asked to play on a summer select team, but Todd and I decided to hold off on that. We will be gone a lot during the summer and also don't want him getting burned out at 6 yrs. old! I continue to be amazed at how far this little boy has come! Who would have ever thought he would be hitting home runs 2 yrs. later? I must admit, I certainly had my doubts. Praise GOD!!



Caed at the pitcher's mound




Reagan also ended her 1st softball season last night as well. She improved SO much over these past 3 months, and has truly learned to love the sport. Can't wait to see how she grows.....


Reagan and her good friend Kyra


.....and Caleb, well, I must say he will probably miss baseball season the most out of the family! He LOVES going to the ballpark!! Can't wait to see this little 'ball of fire' out there on the field one day. One thing is for sure. He will most definitely have 2 GREAT teachers to show him the ropes.

Pray for Aria

Please keep Aria in your prayers! She is our sweet little New Zealand / Omaha friend. She underwent her 2nd multiple organ transplant yesterday on Mother's Day. So far....she is doing well!! But, has a long road still ahead of her......

GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!

Kinder Rodeo

Cowboy Caed

Every good cowboy needs a trusty steed.....


Caed and his 'line dancin'............he really got into it, and had the whole class following his lead.


more Boot Scootin' Boogie

Meet our family.....

I was online today making plans for Caed's next NE appointment and came across this. I was so excited! This is Caed's primary doctor (Mercer) and also one of his nurse coordinators (Brandi). Everything they said was right on. The IRP is a family unit and they without a doubt make you feel like you are apart of it too! We love these guys....just wanted to share this so you can finally put a face(s) with the name(s).