So yesterday was really as bad as I thought it would be. Just REALLY Really sad. This kid was just such a great kid and it was evident just by the line that was a 2 hr wait. The family was there from 2-at least 9:30 with the longest lines. He was buried in his basketball uniform which was so heartbreaking. He just LOVED basketball and my husband. He wrote this essay for his college apps which was all about the basketball team. I just balled when I read it. I hope to post it soon. You will get to see what an amazing kid he was. Rick really had a hard time. I just worry about him, his team and his family.

Isaiah is back in another spell. As you probably may notice, his cycles are getting closer and worse. He is not on any meds. b/c we have tried them for the past yr. and have not seen a difference but I am afraid we are back to the drawing board. We have got to find something that works. My poor kid is just suffering with these spells. I wish I could post a video of how horrifying it is but trust me, you would not want to see it. Outside of his spells, he is sooo happy. but during, it's like he is in the worse pain and there is nothing you can do about it. Others may say to bring him in to the hospital everytime and sedate him. But with our life it is just not possible. Hmmm, let's see, we still have another mitol kiddo who is high need and Janessa. There just has to be something that is going to work for him. We have some appts. coming up and I am really going to get on them about this. I will hospitalize him for his next spell if I am not getting anywhere just so they can see first hand BUT they need to do something to maintain his care at home. KWIM?? Am I making any sense??? Probably not!!! Just feel like I am in a trance of sadness this week.

So tomorrow is going to be a really difficult day. Ryan's wake is tomorrow. I have been so down about his death and the weird thing is that I only met his once. But I think it is hurt for his mom and siblings. Just the thought of losing a child I can't even imagine. Although I chose not to think about this in my day-to-day life with the boys but know it could happen at anytime with them. It just brings thoughts of your own child's mortality to life. It is just really sad. I don't think it matter what age your child is when you lose them b/c is the end it is someone you brought into the world and they are supposed to outlive you and when they don't......... So I think I am going to be a wrecked at the wake. I worry about Rick. He really loved that kid. He just keeps saying that he is the type of kid that you would want our daughter to marry. His team is going to be a mess. Just all around sad. Please continue to pray for his family, team and friends.

Prayers Needed

Today was a very sad day. Rick got a call this am that one of his players was killed in a car crash last night. Rick describes him as the kind of kid you want your daughter to marry. Just an all around great kid. He was a senior and on of triplets. Just very sad. Please keep his family and team in your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow is actually the first day of basketball practice and I am sure a very difficult one for the team. He really loved the team and was happy to be a part of it..

Also more prayers are needed for my friend Debbie. Marlo is back in the hospital with respiratory issues. This has been a really rough road for her family as she just got our of the hospital with both girls last week and is back in with one of them this week. Hugs girls.

So here are a few pictures from the week. We had a GREAT week. So happy to have my family here. We just love my sister's new family and look forward to seeing them soon. Janessa and the girls (Nyia and Mia) had fun as always. It is like no time has passed for them. They were very sad to leave each other. So this means another visit very soon.

We also did our family pictures. Here are my grandparent and my new baby cousin Benjamin, aren't they all so cute. We took tons of family pictures and I cannot wait to show you all. We could not have asked for a better week. They boys were feeling so good and enjoyed Thankgiving food. They were so cute, both sitting in their chairs and when it was time to say grace, Isaiah grabbed Avery's hand and they both had big grins on their faces. It just brought tears to my eyes. Again what a wonderful holiday and I hope everyone's was as blessed as ours was.

So I thought I'd start this post by saying what I am thankful for as we have so much to be and it is the season.

I am so thankful that God has chosen Rick and I to be parents to these three amazing gifts. They have fulfilled and changed our lives in so many positives ways. I cannot imagine life without any of them.

I am thankful for the great husband and father that Rick is, many families don't survive life with a special needs child, let alone 2.

I am thankful for our friends and family. We are so very lucky to have the strong support system and it has really gotten us through so many hard times.

I am so so thankful for that we were able to move given the difficult obstacles and help. THis move has completely enhanced our families lives and came at exactly the right time. I can't imagine how we would have survived this difficult summer if we were still living an hour away.

I am thankful that Rick and I have such great jobs that are very supportive of our lives.

I am so thankful that Avery has overcome so many obstacles and is now starting to thrive.

I am thankful for all the great nursing care my boys get b/c life would be impossible without them.


I/we have just so much more to be thankful for and I don't ever forget it. Many people ask "how we do it" . We do it b/c we love our children and to us this is the family that God has given us and it could be so much worse and it is our job to thive these kids the best possible life that we can. I am just thankful that God has set us up in so many ways to guide us through our job.

I am really looking forward to this week b/c family is coming to town and the boys are feeling great and so is Janessa. At the end of week we are doing our family picture of 4 generations. I am so excited. It is times like this that fill me up and show me how good life is. I will have pictures at the end of the week of the whole family.

I was Right!!!

Mr. Isaiah does have an ear infection in both ears. Poor guy. The stress of this to his system apparently set him into a retching spell. I just cannot believe he has ear infections. This is a first for him. Thank God I am an audiologist. It definetely has it perks. I was right on the money about how his ears looked. He is on an antibiotic and should be feeling better in a couple of days. Just enough time before the family comes to town. I swear my sister has only seen Isaiah in a spell. I want them to see the real Isaiah.

Janessa also has strep yet again. She just had it 4 weeks ago. I hope this is not starting a trend for her.

Basically I spent my entire day related to drs. and antibiotics for the kids. Do you know that I have not had a single day off from work for me, EVER. Any day off whether planned or call-ins is covered by drs. appts. There is always something to do. It is either related to the kids and appts. or I am behind on work and need to take extra time to do that. I just want ONE day for just me. I have an Elizabeth Grady gift card that is now a couple of yrs old (luckily there is no expiration date on it) that I would like to use on myself but never have the time too. I just need to make the time, I guess.

Next week is going to be a really good week. My family is coming to town and at the end of the week we are taking a picture of FOUR generations for my grandparents. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity but I think such a rememberable one. It will be fun. I think......

We are cooking here with some friends and family over. It is too difficult to travel with the boys and I have no nurse that day so we will have to wing it. I have not even started Christmas shopping and envy those who are near done or have even started. I better get going.

I hope all is well for everyone. Please continue to pray for my friend Debbie as she is going on day 13 in the hospital with both girls. One is on TPN and awaiting a surgery on Friday and the other is still struggling with O2. This has been really rough for her and family and I can only imagine what things are like for her. Also pray for Miss Eithene who is Avery's little hospital friend, she is back in and hoping her family can get some much needed answers.

My face has finally started to look better. Woohoo. Still have no idea what I am allergic to but will stay away from coconut shrimp and new facial creams for sure. The jewelry party was a blast and a big hit. I got lots and lots of free jewelry which is great for xmas gifts.

Isaiah started his spell today. Sad face. He has been off the topramax as we were not seeing any change in his spells and this is no different then any others in the last 3 yrs. I am hoping it is not as long at the last one. Pray for my man.

Avery on the other hand is doing great. Weight + baby = happy baby gaining milestones. He is really starting to look like a chubba and is doing really well. He has more head control and the therapist are noticing a big difference in him. I am sooo happy. Things are really looking up for him.

Janessa is not feeling well again. Another sore throat. Last time she said this it was strep throat and it was last month. Hopefully it is not that again.

Good NEWS!!! My sister in the family is coming to town next week. We have not seen each other in over a year and have not seen my neice longer than that. Her new husband is coming and I am excited to finally meet him. ALso my aunt and her neice. We are able to see them last month but still always good to see them. So this should be a really good Thanksgiving. Lots to be thankful for.