Quick Update

We recently traveled to Georgia in order for William to see neurodevelopmental specialist Kay Ness of www.senc.us. While there we also had the opportunity to see Dr. Rhett Bergeron, an MD in the area who also happens to be an elder at Chalcedon Presbyterian. The two combined made for an excellent trip! We learned much, yet we still have much to learn about William's condition. However, for the first time since his cochlear implants, we actually have hope...things to do...exercises...medications, all things we've been told over and over could not be offered to us because there was no hope of his improving. After less than a month on medication and exercise therapy, William can see 5x7 B/W flash cards for the first time since his diagnosis! He recognizes faces and can distinguish furniture and certain other characteristics (like stripes on my shirt)! He can actually see the horse before he touches it and so much more! We're noticing improvements everyday and it's so exciting! William actually asks to watch TV for the first time EVER...he's always ignored it before - is this a good thing or a bad thing?! I'm not sure, but I am rejoicing nonetheless!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

- Posted from my iPhone

Sea World

We were recently blessed to be able to take the children to Sea World in Orlando.  What a fun trip! They all had such a good time, but I was worried about how William would react, not being able to see all the great things the other children saw.  I should remember there is no need to worry, for God, who is able to do more than we ask or think, takes care of even the smallest of needs.  I am truly humbled.

William was very excited about all the shows - he loved to have us describe to him everything that was happening.  After the show there was nearly always SOMETHING for him to touch, so that was an added benefit! Also, he got very wet at the Shamu show and was extremely pleased that Shamu splashed him!

                                                                                               

We purposefully paid to have him feed the dolphins, in the hopes that he would be able to see them since they were so close.  Alas, this idea did not work well because they were so fast.  However, one of the trainers inquired about him, since he still had all his fish.  When she found out about his eyesight, she was very kind to have the dolphins jump right up on the ledge for him to touch!  He ran his hands up and down the body and the fin, as she talked and explained things to him!  What a blessing!

 We went back the next day to let all the children feed the dolphins (at $7 per tray of fish, this is no small feat for our family).  The same trainer was there and she came over to us, called the dolphins up again for William, then even had them do some tricks for the other children.  We were overwhelmed and humbled!  We found out later, when we went to pick up the pictures, that they don't do those things in the feeding area, but you normally have to pay $99 a person for the Dolphin Adventure to get that kind of interaction!  Even after all this time, I am still constantly amazed at how God cares for our every need!

So, we are home from our trip now and catching up on some much needed rest and still William talks constantly of petting the dolphins.  Thank you, Lord, for good times!


"You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" Psalm 139:5-6

Hello, again!

Well, here I am again.  I've really fallen down on the blogging.  There are actually two reasons for that, one of which is very, very good!  William has been doing so well, there hasn't been much going on with him to post about, except for the recent hospital stay.  The other reason, as I'm sure that everyone can surmise without my actually saying anything, is that I am incredibly busy!  Busy in the best way possible!  With EIGHT children in school this year (I decided to start Wallace in the middle of the year...that boy needs something consistent to do!) and therapies on top of that, our days are fairly packed!

William has finally received the "all clear" from his pulmonologist, so we're back to therapy.  It's kind of a struggle, as he lost so much during the 3 months of illness and recovery, but he is a trooper!  Henry didn't make it with our family, but we found him a very good home that he loves.  I think he was just too nervous to tolerate so many children!  William got a new chihuahua, Bandit, who just so happens to be Annie's younger brother!  He's amazing and fits so well!  He's already averted one illness for William -- my kind of dog!







God has chosen to bless us again with another daughter!  We expect little Adelina Jubilee in January and we are so excited!  Delivery place is undetermined for now, as we have some issues to overcome before making those kind of decisions.  However, all who know me know that I am still praying for a home delivery!







I am so thankful and blessed to be at home with these precious children!  Sarah is in her last year of school and is desiring to take over some of the teaching with the little ones.  I am very torn about this!  On the one hand, I know the learning experience will be good for her and very useful to her one day.  On the other hand, I covet this time teaching my little ones and find it very difficult to give that over to ANYONE else, even Sarah, who also loves them dearly!  When I look into their faces I see the babies disappearing and young men and women replacing them all too quickly!  In fact, today is Elly's 8th birthday.  The oldest of my "young" set is 8 years old!  So hard to believe!  I know that just as quickly as this has happened she will be 16!  And 24!  And married!  And having children!  Oh, my!  The thoughts overwhelm me!  What I short time our children are given to us for!  May we not waste that precious time, for each moment is a gift!  I have been guilty of wasting more moments than I would want, but I am thankful that the Lord quickens my heart and reminds me how precious time is!


"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:15-17

Update

I haven't updated in quite a long time because my computer got water spilled into it and I'm still without. There's so much to catch up on! But, for now, just the present...
William was released from a 9 day hospital stay on Saturday evening. He is still on a 10 day home regiment and is not released to go anywhere until after July 2, when he will hopefully get the "all clear" from his doctor. He had a severe case of pneumonia and his right lung was in pretty bad shape. Praise the Lord, he is much better, though still extremely weak!




We're very thankful to have our little man back home!

- Posted from my iPhone

Oh, Henry!

You see that tiny little black ball curled up on my sweet William? Love him already!

- Posted from my iPhone

Plans Change

Well, the plan was to wait. Wait for everyone to grieve and to heal. Wait for Annie's parents to have another litter. Wait.

But William started showing signs that waiting wouldn't be a good idea. His mucus became thick again. He had some rattling in his chest. He went back to sleeping fitfully. Everytime I checked on him through the night he was in a different position, his pillow was across the room, his blankets were in shambles. He kicked the wall in his sleep and cried out pitifully. All these things he used to do before Annie. He began having less daytime energy and his head began to droop again. Maybe it was the lack of sufficient rest that caused the other symptoms, but we felt we needed to act quickly, so...

Introducing...

Oh, Henry!



Henry is a tiny, black, male, nearly 10-week-old chihuahua. We've had him only 6 days, but he is already loved and cherished! He is such a smart little dog and already understands about house training and seems to have a natural understanding of what his job is!


At first, we hesitated to put him in bed with William, but have been doing so the last 3 nights and they've both done wonderfully! William sleeps soundly and peacefully, Henry seems to know to stay cuddled up beside William until I come get him. Neither of them move. It is so sweet!

And William is already doing much better! Praise the Lord!

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-32