Fri. 7/4 - update

Happy 4th!!! We had a great one! It started with 4th on Broadway (Lubbock parade), then over to Todd's mom's house (played a quick game of baseball w/ Uncle Scott), then...out to the Everitt's pool for swimming / cook-out / fireworks. He did wonderful again....and ate the whole day! The kids were exhausted when we got back home tonight. Both Reagan and Caed went straight to their beds in their clothes. Didn't have the heart to change them.

We picked up Todd at the airport around 6:00, so he got to join in on part of the fun. Tomorrow is Reagan's birthday. We plan on taking her & Bergan to dinner and a movie.


Nothing says 4th of July like a corndog
at 9:00 AM!!!!!


...and then nachos at 9:30!!!!!
(Reagan, Caed, and (cousin) Clarie)


Claire & Caed at the parade

Thurs. - 7/3 - update

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what He has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other...
(Ecclesiastes 7:13-14)

I have used this verse before, but back then I focused more on the "bad times" God allows in our lives. PRAISE GOD! Now we truly can BE HAPPY....times are good! I remember the first week Caed was in ICU just days into this ordeal, and our family told Todd and I to "leave the hospital and take a break." We went to a fast food restaurant just down the street. I was literally sick to my stomach and cried the entire time. As Todd was waiting on his food, all I could do was watch with envy how everyone else was having a "normal" day. Tears welled up as I watched families sit down together enjoying a meal. Some were chasing their kids around the restaurant, laughing, talking, just doing what families do. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE!!!! YOU'RE TAKING IT ALL FOR GRANTED!
And they were. They were doing exactly what we had done the past 8 years. Take each day with our children for granted....we just come to expect things. As hard as this is to actually say, I do thank God for allowing this into our lives. It has changed us. It has definitely mellowed me out! I see simple everyday things in a different light. I know there will come a time when we too will start to "expect" certain things day to day.....we will loose sight and begin focusing on the small unimportant again.....BUT Lord we pray you will quickly bring to mind this experience and remember every day is truly a gift!! (you don't know what you have til it's gone!!)

We spent the day running errands and even went to the mall. Everything about it was so normal. It was exactly as it was before all this happened. (other than the 20 trips to every possible restroom!!!!) I began thinking.....now I am the "normal mom out with her kids." Were there others around that watched ME with envy? The odds are yes! God, help me to not take these "normal moments" for granted. I too have been on the other side!

Wed. 7/2 - update

Thank you God for another wonderful day!

Tues. 7/1 - update

"Our joy knew no bounds!" (sound familiar Ron?)

The past 2 days have been filled with much joy around here! It literally is like night and day with Caed! He is more like his old self (in EVERY way) from the last 4 months. If you didn't know what all Caed has been through, you would never know anything was wrong with him. It is absolutely amazing, and we have to remind ourselves what even 2 weeks ago were like. We had another wonderful day! He ate like normal.....never once threw up. Only had diarrhea maybe 2-3 times today. He ate breakfast (NutriGrain bar), lunch (more chicken!), and pizza for supper at the birthday party. He even had cake and ice cream! He is now down in the basement with the other girls eating popcorn watching a movie. He was at 15cc. with feeding tube last night...our plan is to jump to 20 tonight. We also heard from Home Infusion today (medicine supplier) and they told us they got orders from our GI dr. that Caed will only need to be on his TPN every other night! We are moving closer to getting rid of it for good!!! Thank you God!

Reagan's birthday party went great! We had pizza, cake, etc...here and then headed out to Joyland. The girls (& Caed) had a blast. After we got home they had a fashion show (with some of my old prom dresses....just lovely!!!), and now are watching a movie. Caed is right there in the middle of them. Hopefully they will crash here soon.......I am exhausted! Todd flies back to Celina in the morning, but will come back here for July 4th weekend.

Thank you for your continued prayers!! They are being answered!!!!!!! Who would have thought 4 months ago tonight we almost lost him........ Our God is good!

Reagan birthday pics

do you think she liked it?


Daddy & Grandaddy had a little fun messing
with Reagan's cake.....she did NOT appreciate
it!





fashion show

Joyland pics - Reagan

Happy 8th Birthday Reagan!