tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92120383364683549942024-03-19T05:04:00.384-07:00Chickens in the KitchenHappily at peace in the midst of "Plan B"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-53999167124660471512015-12-28T19:05:00.005-08:002015-12-28T19:05:40.814-08:00From little things come BIG things.<div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Have you ever been completely overwhelmed with goodness? Have you ever realized that dreams really do come true? Is it possible that there is still LOTS of good left in the world today?</span></div>
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Three and a half years ago our family embarked on a journey that was uncharted territory. We had no idea what the future would hold. We had prayed for a happy and healthy baby. We got one of those - Happy. Parson Blue was far from healthy. A rare genetic condition attacked her lungs and she would struggle for each breath until she was 11 months old when a donor completely changed things. </div>
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After 5 long months inpatient at Texas Children's Hospital, at the age of 11 months old, Parson received the best birthday gift ever in the form of new donor lungs. Through our transplant journey, the amazing doctors and nurses at Texas Children's Hospital became family to us. The care we received was not only life saving but heart changing as well. They cared for our child and our whole family in the process. </div>
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We didn't take the journey alone. Our family has been carried along many days by a band of supporters we dubbed "The Parson Blue Crew." All along our journey thus far, they have given generously of their love and prayers of support. </div>
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Parson has enjoyed an AMAZING two and a half years with her new lungs. She has learned to walk, enjoy books, talk, read books, laugh and enjoy books. The kiddo LOVES books. Because books make our family very happy we wanted to "give back" to Texas Children's Hospital in the form of a children's book drive. We put out a call for new books...and The Parson Blue Crew went to work. </div>
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In larger than life fashion, our tribe proved that BIG things come from little things. I expected to receive 20-40 books at the local drop off locations throughout the drive that would last from Thanksgiving through mid December. To allow our out-of-town friends and family to participate, we also set up a wish list through Amazon.com. The Blue Crew completely blew any expectations I had out of the water. Boxes began to arrive daily. One day we received 34 boxes of books. Then one day we received 407 books in one day. The Blue Crew proved to me, book by book that goodness abounds. </div>
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We've got board books and we've got complete sets of books. We've got Seuss and we've got trains. We've got Wimpy Kids and Dork Diaries and Hunger Games and Harry Potter. The books came by plane they came by train, folks even brought and dropped them off. They bought for babies and they bought for big kids. They even bought Fox in Socks. They've bought books about sports stars and Minnie Mouse too. They even bought coloring books, crayons and crafts too. Stacks and stacks of books to share. </div>
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To date we have received over 2700 books and more books are arriving each day. Even the UPS man and postal carrier are proud to be a part of our drive. </div>
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Our little book drive has proven to me that sometimes all you have to do is ASK. Our dream of a book drive to stock the book cart at Texas Children's Hospital has now become a HUGE reality. The Blue Crew reminded me that BIG things can come from little dreams. One little sick baby brought together many people and because of a dream we made a BIG delivery of books to Texas Children's Hospital. </div>
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In addition to delivering over 2700 books, we also packed extra special care packages including books for children in the PICU. After a very emotional delivery day, we came home to 39 more books on our doorstep. Safe to say...we will be headed back with another special delivery of books very soon. </div>
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Thank YOU Blue Crew! You were insanely generous. From little things come BIG things. </div>
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The Happy Family delivering books. Lots of books. <br />
Jennifer, Darby (8), Parson (3) and Rodney. <br />
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Parson Blue Crew Book Drive drop off box</div>
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Wahooo! More Books! </div>
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Parson... Before and after transplant. Blessed. </div>
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This kiddo LOVES books. </div>
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This is the little book that started it all. We brought this lift-a-flap book to many therapy sessions to entice Parson to reach, roll over, scoot, stand, and even start walking. Many of the flaps are gone, but sweet memories remain. </div>
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I'll help you get that one Momma.<br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: 21px;">This kid knows. Can't you sense the love these two have for one another? Parson and Dr. George Mallory, TCH Lung Transplant Physician.</span></span><br />
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Big sister Darby and cousin Victoria, Loading up to deliver books. </div>
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A very warm welcome from our TCH lung transplant family. They helped us unpack and deliver smiles/books.<br />
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Melissa Nugent and Jennifer Maddox - two of our TCH family members. </div>
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#texaschildrens #donatelife<br />
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Special care packages for kiddo's who would spend Christmas in the PICU<br />
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BELIEVE. This word became very special to us during our time at TCH.<br />
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More of our special TCH family that welcomed us when we made our care package deliveries to the PICU.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-11008767370096290942015-10-02T07:50:00.000-07:002015-12-28T19:23:12.156-08:00What's your 10-2?<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">10-2 will probably never be the same for me. I guess I should say... THANKFULLY 10-2 will never be the same for me. It's the day that I got the worst case of whiplash I have ever had. That was D day - Diagnosis Day for Parson. The day when the doc said that really long phrase as they wheeled her out for her first surgery. Whew. My neck gets sore all over again when I recall the events of that day. </span><br />
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But you know what? Three years further down the road from d-day, I am a MUCH better person. I know what matters. I no longer sweat the small stuff. I cherish moments and people, not things. I am assertive. And I have developed some mad negotiation skills. </div>
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One of those really dark nights when Parson was very sick, I prayed in desperation for God to save her. I looked up on the bookshelf and "Plan B" by Pete Wilson jumped out at me. In this book, he leads the reader to discover that "Plan B situations force us to rely on a power beyond ourselves." The book helped me reframe my situation in the shadow of the cross and navigate the greatest storm I had ever faced. </div>
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It is kind of a cool kwinky-dink that the CB lingo for 10-2 means "Receiving Well". It is reaffirming to the symbolism of what 10-2 has been in my life. Some days I actually want to scream to the heavens "I'M RECEIVING IT WELL. My cup runneth over Good Buddy." On the tough days I want to scream "UNCLE! You have got me on overload. You can stop sending me 10-2 messages at any point."</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not gonna lie, some days are just tough. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The day when one of the 11 Meds squirts out of the extension tubing all over your work clothes. The day when you haggle with insurance over coverage of IV needles. The day when you wake up and learn one of the lung transplant buddies you have made along the way got his angel wings last night. The day when the home health report list your kids prognosis as "fair". Those kind of days are just tough. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And even though the 10-2's define us, it is the 10-3's and 10-4's that are the difference makers. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Someone once said "Adversity introduces a man to himself." Ain't that the truth?!? How you play the hand you have been dealt is really where the rubber meets the road. I heard a quote that sums up the 10-2 kind of days. "</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">When you trust God with your greatest fears, you discover your greatest joys."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So what's your 10-2? When is the defining moment where God really got to your heart? </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-4932446062910149602015-02-04T20:26:00.001-08:002015-02-04T20:26:31.523-08:00The Underdog<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I have always loved an underdog. I absolutely love it when somebody sneaks up from behind and wins. The guy that proves 'em all wrong and shakes things up. The bracket buster. The runt. The long shot. Even though I really don't care much for bumper stickers, I secretly love it when the car in front of me proudly boasts a sticker that reads "My kid beat up your honor student". I have always been a sucker to fall in love with that kinda kid.</span><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I always get a little sick to my stomach when report cards come out and my FB newsfeed is littered with pics of the most recent school awards that Sister So&So's kid have won. The All A honor roll, good citizenship, perfect attendance and highest AR point total. You know what I am talking about - the kid can't even hold all the certificates. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Don't get me wrong, I am so proud for you and your kid - but I love the underdog. "And the underdog Award for the 2nd Six Weeks goes to ...." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I am thinking there should be a certificate for making it to school on time and fully clothed for a whole week. Maybe one for surviving sight word hell and living to tell about it. An award for understanding and applying the "new" math concepts. Both students and/or parents could be eligible to receive the aforementioned awards. Can I get an amen? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love the kid that struggles with their sight words. The one who has his color changed at least once a week. The fella who can't keep his hands to himself. The one who makes you laugh outloud when all of your adult super powers tell you not to laugh outloud. The Kid who is saying what the rest of us are thinking. The ones who cheat death. These ones just go straight to my heart. </span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This week we are celebrating a HUGE upset, a come from behind victory that snuck up on everybody - a David with his slingshot episode -- I'm talkin' about the UNDERDOG baby!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dyslexia can't hold this kid back. ADHD can't slow her down (pun fully intended). Darby Clark Herrington is here to charm you with her superpowers. She competed in UIL oral reading and placed 4th in the competition. And her school took home the 2nd place trophy. Boom baby! Take that dyslexia. Booyah! She just sucker punched that ADHD in the gut. My kid did it! As MC Hammer would say --"Sound tha bell cuz school is in session. U CAN'T TOUCH THIS!!" </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Actually - I could not be more proud of Darbs. In all seriousness, this is the kid who was a struggling reader - (remember, the aforementioned sight word hell). Through her UIL experience, she conquered some fears and came away with some amazing memory capital. Heck - we all did. The whole family is celebrating. She took this UIL challenge and owned it like a BOSS! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By the way, Darby also had all A's for her first semester averages. (I'm talking about an epic celebration that lasted a week - Ice cream. Skating. Slushees. Trips to the Blue Store. Play dates. Happy meals. Sonic Happy Hour. Dance party. Oh yeah!)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">BOOM BABY! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And the wee little, happy underdog isn't taking no for an answer either. She is rocking her new lungs every stinking day! Boom. So take THAT filamin A genetic mutation. And BOOYAH take THAT "failure to thrive". Even though we had two hospital stays to start 2015, she isn't gonna let a little cryptosporidium/RSV/rotovirus keep her down long. This kiddo got some new lungs and she is ready to roll. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On this date two years ago, we left in a hurry to rush her to the ER. She laid limp in my arms, fighting for every single breath that her terrible, crummy lungs could muster. Feburary 4th sticks out in my mind as one of the worst nights of my life. I wasn't really sure she was gonna make it. I pleaded for her next breath. Mercy. I get so emotional reliving Feb 4th. It was a real low point. But thank you Jesus, the story didn't end there. This little genetic mutation is a walking, talking miracle. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In all honesty, God knew I loved the underdog. I am certain that is why he gave me two of them. I wouldn't trade them for any old stupid paper award certificate on this earth. I'm sorry that some of you Momma's got plain vanilla kiddos. I like mine with a little less class and a little more sass! These two curly headed tornadoes are David's in a great big Goliath world. David's show us that life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. You know the ones who "gut it up" and take on Plan B one day at a time. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To be honest, we have navigated some really rough days in our little family. Circumstances have often led me to say "Why Me?" a lot over the past two years. I mean, I didn't sign up to be a doctor/nurse/pharmacist - I just wanted to be a Momma. But doggone it, these two precious underdogs have given me hope for days like February 4th. I CAN do a lot of things I never dreamed I could. My girls have taught me that some days you just have to put on your armor, pick up your slingshot and give it your best shot. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After a really rough start to 2015, I remarked that I was glad to see January in my rear view mirror. I wasn't real impressed with what she had to offer so far, but reminiscing back to just two years ago really put things into perspective. Take heart my friend, you may be down, but you are not out. You may be having a February 4th kind of day. Work may be awful. The stomach virus may be getting the best of your family. The flu may have knocked you off of your feet. Your world may have been rocked by sadness. You may carry a load of guilt ... and Goliath might be staring you down. But I can promise you - the same God of David delights in the underdogs. Another promise, the diahrrea will not last forever. All you gotta do is pick up a rock and give it a shot. My God is mighty to save. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Underdogs unite! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span class="verse-17" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. </i></b>- Zephaniah 3:17 </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0E0O4S-iY9nVvXq9s8DzBWECDdL7dPDvGdYPSG6XjvKn98z1Bp0_C7J0cBHhp7iHec4V1lF7xIiQD3nRe5XWLwEQ9U0Io6TbiTLjS3DQl2zA295ubhPxBD1FkhqK1rDBatFBfSAWMAEs/s640/blogger-image--1456469912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0E0O4S-iY9nVvXq9s8DzBWECDdL7dPDvGdYPSG6XjvKn98z1Bp0_C7J0cBHhp7iHec4V1lF7xIiQD3nRe5XWLwEQ9U0Io6TbiTLjS3DQl2zA295ubhPxBD1FkhqK1rDBatFBfSAWMAEs/s640/blogger-image--1456469912.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My proud UIL winner. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMNnMbvxJJhqYeJQZeI6TP5iVWafE1zsNcHizMsdV9Z0ia1pIMz1kWERw9dhlqwbc4_EguNiSDG4ZTLHVBEuoTYPpc-lJbwAcSLEyxHehNPxnnLDLASrzBEyZkQRADC1xO3NbVNNXpB1n/s640/blogger-image-993756321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMNnMbvxJJhqYeJQZeI6TP5iVWafE1zsNcHizMsdV9Z0ia1pIMz1kWERw9dhlqwbc4_EguNiSDG4ZTLHVBEuoTYPpc-lJbwAcSLEyxHehNPxnnLDLASrzBEyZkQRADC1xO3NbVNNXpB1n/s640/blogger-image-993756321.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My beautiful mutation. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eaWSERvBHsu1Ztzyo19k8BHczQ6eE4Z0awrljDxuUB0578x4jWbZYLJiUzQUVi6o12zGWjExy7tcYcTcNX16HVNAiFUn8QNQ3Xh1q7CXNXgvKpcCDigzhARHIE18tC8J5k2XW1KEEXWH/s640/blogger-image-706046699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eaWSERvBHsu1Ztzyo19k8BHczQ6eE4Z0awrljDxuUB0578x4jWbZYLJiUzQUVi6o12zGWjExy7tcYcTcNX16HVNAiFUn8QNQ3Xh1q7CXNXgvKpcCDigzhARHIE18tC8J5k2XW1KEEXWH/s640/blogger-image-706046699.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My God is MIGHTY to save. </span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-26313773436451345502014-09-06T20:59:00.001-07:002014-09-06T21:51:34.645-07:00Hi. My name is Jennifer....<div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hi. My name is Jennifer and it has been one heckuva week. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcj0b6QVLalLv4doF0uQIEOeHX-ydeO_mvfsy3SmNXbuwKyEAGh2qfx7Wi7hDcibfW3Tsvw4DLUFqTxrC8Cr9MVTsELhF9NqKVy4Wws0ScKFWB5v4soluYK18PweAIxDa2vD8Rv2sV-6d/s640/blogger-image--1533411056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcj0b6QVLalLv4doF0uQIEOeHX-ydeO_mvfsy3SmNXbuwKyEAGh2qfx7Wi7hDcibfW3Tsvw4DLUFqTxrC8Cr9MVTsELhF9NqKVy4Wws0ScKFWB5v4soluYK18PweAIxDa2vD8Rv2sV-6d/s640/blogger-image--1533411056.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Lemme set the scene...</div><div><br></div><div>First, Monday was a holiday so I started one day behind. Then we added two different doctors visits to Lufkin. Added one trip to the Apple store in The Woodlands (because our iPhones won't hold a charge). Then three different therapy sessions. Also add in one major surgery for my mom. And to top it all off - new health insurance. There is nothing that makes you call on the name of Jesus more than changing insurance when you have a medically dependent child. Oh Blue Cross Blue Shield how I miss you. I have spent the better part of this last week wrangling the swap from Blue Cross to Aetna. In network. Outta network. Sweet Jesus, be near to me. I have almost lost my religion by having to change specialty pharmacies. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hell hath no fury like a transplant momma who can't get her kid's prograf and CellCept meds. If</span> I got transferred to one more CAREmark pharmacy branch....... Oh, I need THEE every hour. </div><div><br></div><div>I guess it was a mistake to say out loud last night that I was glad this week was finally over. Hindsight's 20/20. </div><div><br></div><div>So today, I got up and went over to Mom's to help out by mowing her yard and cleaning out her fridge etc. Just trying to earn some brownie points after her surgery, but my sister Sandra has the #1 daughter position locked up tight. We ate a little lunch (about 3pm) and then somewhere mid-fridge clean out the phone rang...</div><div><br></div><div>"Hey Jennifer. This is Denise with Rayburn Reality. I know this is short notice but there is someone that wants to look at your house. Would that be possible?" </div><div><br></div><div>(It is 4pm. Our house is for sale. We want our house to sell. Did I mention it has been one heckuva week? ) </div><div><br></div><div>"Absolutely Denise. Tell them they can see it at 5." </div><div><br></div><div>I jump in the truck (with trailer and John Deere attached) and head to make sense of things in the country. Wow. My house is a WRECK! I live with TWO curly headed tornadoes that LOVE to make messes. </div><div><br></div><div>I squeal into the driveway on two wheels, unhitch the trailer somewhere in the middle of the back yard and GO TO WORK! I wiggled my nose and nodded my head like I Dream of Jeannie, but nothing happened- so I started cramming stuff in closets. Pulling up covers. Kicking toys into baskets & getting after it. I'M BRINGING BOOGIE BACK! (I forgot to mention that my youngest tornado has a new found affinity shoes and has pulled out EVERY shoe in the house this morning. Ah sweet, precious Parson. And my oldest tornado is into creating things with duck tape. So tape, scissors and 1000 rolls of colorful duck tape lay amongst the sea of shoes. Ah sweet, creative Darby.) The floors desperately need attention, but there just is not enough time. </div><div><br></div><div>Somewhere in the midst of my desperation, I have hidden and crammed things to the best of my abilities and decide I need to devote 2.3 minutes to the outdoor area of the house. (The yard is a complete mess too and the grass needs mowing something fierce.) I quickly wind up the water hose into a nice, tangled mess and push all of the kids rolling toys into a cluttered pile on the carport. As I trip over the blower on the back patio, I decide that if I use the blower to blow off the back patio, carport and front porch that'll make the grass look shorter huh?!?! Anyhow, with 1.5 minutes left, I commenced to blowing. The back porch and carport looked a tad better, so I headed for the front. (I took the quickest route, thru the living room). Hi. My name is Jennifer and I may or may not have used the blower in the living room too. </div><div><br></div><div>With the front porch (and living room) blown, I said a quick prayer, threw Parson in the truck and headed out again on two wheels. It is 5:02pm - Bring on the buyer baby! </div><div><br></div><div>Now it is 11:47pm and everyone is asleep. I just had a much needed shower and I still don't think I have caught my breath yet. That last minute sprint to get the trash can from the curb nearly killed me. Can you say fat and outta shape? I feel like I have been on that old AstroWorld ride "The River of No Return." And now I can't find the little bag of rubber bands for my braces - guess they got "out crammed" in this drawer somewhere. </div><div><br></div><div>Hi. My name is Jennifer. I'm 41 years old with braces and used a blower to clean my living room today. Oh, and I'm bringing boogie back. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>Just another day in my beautiful Plan B! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmkyNGGn7jcO7IwjI2JIiwJQUFcDZooTdlp4TSez_LV-ozrdaNJ__Hh77mGp3EMloUzrS3CBeOLcwIf7So8nkJ2GdId9qpeYqMjurl8i83_FBuIahPyOmDW2hhUP80S05X2xzItAqtwJS/s640/blogger-image-2131928488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmkyNGGn7jcO7IwjI2JIiwJQUFcDZooTdlp4TSez_LV-ozrdaNJ__Hh77mGp3EMloUzrS3CBeOLcwIf7So8nkJ2GdId9qpeYqMjurl8i83_FBuIahPyOmDW2hhUP80S05X2xzItAqtwJS/s640/blogger-image-2131928488.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVu8XWGysK0a1_73eXKLE6pqi9DCdVanqw5K_Uoixs0bOpPwzdgvm_pOEwEfeyi7xv1oUm63JyqdU8yNFA47r29Y1RwWYO8603J_FoB3DFN6ia3oCwIvOFJXAAhs2YIaEsiyK7LMiflv4/s640/blogger-image--1812680680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVu8XWGysK0a1_73eXKLE6pqi9DCdVanqw5K_Uoixs0bOpPwzdgvm_pOEwEfeyi7xv1oUm63JyqdU8yNFA47r29Y1RwWYO8603J_FoB3DFN6ia3oCwIvOFJXAAhs2YIaEsiyK7LMiflv4/s640/blogger-image--1812680680.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Curly Headed Tornado #2-lover of purses and shoes. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELprQzNNUdM__tvku5Uc0myXruKb555rDi8IzgjI9Y-WYbFOWTR7pojg92q0AtmZfwLAEvsQOGpX5N_8i1W_6mz3UGGkes97mLanJyx_M7HJ-qNsbPAHEiXQ6TykEdweTHtqkiL2G5rAy/s640/blogger-image-624473835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELprQzNNUdM__tvku5Uc0myXruKb555rDi8IzgjI9Y-WYbFOWTR7pojg92q0AtmZfwLAEvsQOGpX5N_8i1W_6mz3UGGkes97mLanJyx_M7HJ-qNsbPAHEiXQ6TykEdweTHtqkiL2G5rAy/s640/blogger-image-624473835.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU4Ars6D9HRga4O4Qz9Bl8rhKCz1_xum-7Ha3z_tz0CtK1Cjzu7LQ9b8rhrq_E9IHT-xJA8NCwudZqeGRarxckJPxYp1HXpGfcFK3vXvpLkSEfC8FWmuZ4I227cF_JVxSDCPFk1ZfAmWc/s640/blogger-image--1742151779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU4Ars6D9HRga4O4Qz9Bl8rhKCz1_xum-7Ha3z_tz0CtK1Cjzu7LQ9b8rhrq_E9IHT-xJA8NCwudZqeGRarxckJPxYp1HXpGfcFK3vXvpLkSEfC8FWmuZ4I227cF_JVxSDCPFk1ZfAmWc/s640/blogger-image--1742151779.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Curly headed Tornado #1-lover of life and creator of fun <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpL_GgrHp1Lk77-iPGVn0J_cSPdeU10R3j_mgT0Jt44i-kXz6JoXDTuJLNapyk0E5thvnSQAoth9FBJ_hQyJoTc5RlccBExB8FMw2rn39od3v5MXtxuw4tIY_7FEng7JvG6XzC_TRWJ76/s640/blogger-image--177243933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpL_GgrHp1Lk77-iPGVn0J_cSPdeU10R3j_mgT0Jt44i-kXz6JoXDTuJLNapyk0E5thvnSQAoth9FBJ_hQyJoTc5RlccBExB8FMw2rn39od3v5MXtxuw4tIY_7FEng7JvG6XzC_TRWJ76/s640/blogger-image--177243933.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12G3uVGAraVA4tfSvc2UridMnrSgJDEzPFdDUp9QKWBcxGjcH3BXLgbu2wwi5a5di81CU8KLYxB1501BUIpqtsfYbTthZeJfZyn6GBsmnJFBsgJsFXmAqwAApoe1-xDzMgl51kuCRZ5X3/s640/blogger-image-655689843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12G3uVGAraVA4tfSvc2UridMnrSgJDEzPFdDUp9QKWBcxGjcH3BXLgbu2wwi5a5di81CU8KLYxB1501BUIpqtsfYbTthZeJfZyn6GBsmnJFBsgJsFXmAqwAApoe1-xDzMgl51kuCRZ5X3/s640/blogger-image-655689843.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The DuckTape Chronicles...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYRSsVTUlGyVgxY4e2bHkU2ClGPUYPRq-p5ul90mfZJUBkL8Env2eHoALRQToieF_z1mEzjkey48faEKgQ3NosHQw317taI3Hgtd1l0EQgp5nFaClPkT81zzDzB_vtRYmadAF-Y6BSXTb/s640/blogger-image-1887647297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYRSsVTUlGyVgxY4e2bHkU2ClGPUYPRq-p5ul90mfZJUBkL8Env2eHoALRQToieF_z1mEzjkey48faEKgQ3NosHQw317taI3Hgtd1l0EQgp5nFaClPkT81zzDzB_vtRYmadAF-Y6BSXTb/s640/blogger-image-1887647297.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegQD2l5VtagnGv69G9XDYvG8Q_lIKkEd27909P9i1xd2UjmAEtH7az6rXEVmkhFr5w5NR66luVkUdtWiicEeRyLLuXhmylbZ_iCEOUm7qMhUzbD67xPEpALeaDbQZQ9VKUnQI-OxhTGoN/s640/blogger-image-1589822465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegQD2l5VtagnGv69G9XDYvG8Q_lIKkEd27909P9i1xd2UjmAEtH7az6rXEVmkhFr5w5NR66luVkUdtWiicEeRyLLuXhmylbZ_iCEOUm7qMhUzbD67xPEpALeaDbQZQ9VKUnQI-OxhTGoN/s640/blogger-image-1589822465.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And just some of the shoes....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJsCyYfceCfSQmt21yT4UjVA32yoqtrP8nFeL2W4XmTp2oTdmOFQ_qfFh8vDlBuofIQi5UYXQM7wGiRYnu6a5Q1r39qPZcGbY037gHPHtsaGeIzxoD7jCaievRe_-l1IbT4-ngM6DlLxe/s640/blogger-image--378030320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJsCyYfceCfSQmt21yT4UjVA32yoqtrP8nFeL2W4XmTp2oTdmOFQ_qfFh8vDlBuofIQi5UYXQM7wGiRYnu6a5Q1r39qPZcGbY037gHPHtsaGeIzxoD7jCaievRe_-l1IbT4-ngM6DlLxe/s640/blogger-image--378030320.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-70873697384280311962014-08-16T06:41:00.001-07:002014-08-17T18:23:08.624-07:00The Parable of the Parasite and the Backpack<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">These two little rascals that spend their daytime hours (and sometime nights too) sucking the life out of me are constantly teaching me new lessons. Lately it has been through late night poop parties and backpacks. I know, that is way TMI, but bear with me I am going somewhere with this. Parson has had a nasty parasite, cryptosporidium, that we just can't get rid of. For two months she (we) have struggled and it hasn't been pretty. I have washed my hands 1000 times each day, washed one million loads of laundry and bleached everything in sight. Dr. Bocchini, Parson's new infectious disease doc said it best today. "We must attack this aggressively with multiple agents (especially since it is a nasty parasite)." Friends, it hit me like a ton of bricks... I'm letting my attitude be attacked daily by nasty parasites and circumstances. It is not giving me diarrhea in the literal sense - but more like what my old PE coach used to call "diarrhea of the mouth". You know the "I cants". The "I don't wanna's". The "can't I trade places with her for just a day. She has got a sweet life". The "life will never be normal again". All those pesky little thoughts of inadequacy and stinking thinking. </span></div><div><br></div><div>"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on these things.." - Philippians 4:8</div><div><br></div><div>It is so easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and before we know it, it has spread throughout our life and taken over the place where good and noble once lived. I recently heard this practice described as "pretty people problems". There is even a Facebook page dedicated to random everyday problems that attractive people have. Most often brought about by over abundance, wealth, name brands, commercialism and in general trying to "keep up with the Joneses". </div><div><br></div><div>I'm am SO guilty. I took Darby to Justice and let her pick out a new backpack for school. (Never mind that her backpacks from the last 3 school years are perfectly fine.) Out of pure guilt, I am now toting a handmedown "Darby" monogrammed backpack for Parson's diaper bag. Pretty people problems. </div><div><br></div><div>School is about to start and we as a human race are all gonna have the "don't wanna's". I don't wanna get up. I don't wanna wear that. I don't want another sandwich for lunch. I don't wanna cook supper again. I don't wanna go grocery shopping again. I don't wanna bathe the kids again. (Doesn't swimming<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> count as a bath?) I don't wanna wash my hands one more time. (Reckon they will dry up and fall off as a result of good hand washing?) I don't wanna fight with my kid to eat something healthy, anything healthy. Guilty again. Lord help me, the only vegetable my 7 year old claims to like is candy corn- (that is a whole nother blog for a whole nother day.) </span></div><div><br></div><div>"The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it more abundant." - John 10:10 </div><div><br></div><div>Forget what everybody else is doing. Go on a FB fast. Forget about those darned dead plants that you forgot to water - (no amount of water will bring 'em back now honey.) Get over the pretty people problems. The other folks vacation is always gonna be better than yours (especially when you haven't even been on one in years). Their house is always gonna be bigger/prettier/have more storage & closet space. They are always gonna have great hair days and flawless skin. So, forget about the stretch marks and sleepless nights. Quit comparing yourself to everybody else. </div><div><br></div><div>He came that you may have an ABUNDANT life! He did not come for us to live a mediocre, so-so, unsanitized kind of life that I have been wandering around in. MORE abundant - in terms of joy, peace and people - not another backpack full of over indulgence. The pretty people problems are spreading like a bad parasite and robbing us of our JOY. Sanitize yourself! </div><div><br></div><div>So turn up the Lionel Richie. Sing some of your favorite hymns. Put your hair up in a ponytail. Go play outside with your kids. Fill up the tub for a good soak. Go barefoot. Get on the riding lawn mower and turn on the "good music for a good day" playlist. Sit under the shade of a magnolia tree. Watch a sunrise. Watch a sunset. Better yet - watch both in one day. Go on a date with your main squeeze and get the drink with a little umbrella (pretend its a vacation). Turn up your favorite jam and have a dance party in the car. Call your BFF. Read your Bible. Have a good cry. Say cryptosporidium 3 times real fast (it'll make you feel like a superhero). And for goodness sakes, let the kids skip a bath tonight. (Mammaw said it'll wear out their skin anyhow.)</div><div><br></div><div>Do yourself a favor. Wash your hands. Say your prayers. Quit listening to the devil. Stop the stinking thinking. Quit taking yourself so serious. Use some sanitizer on your life. Get rid of the <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">diarrhea</span> of the mouth. Attack it aggressively. Enough comparing yourself to others. God has richly blessed you and me. Think on these things. We have got it good-- the ABUNDANT life awaits. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMLGPH75BUR7bYSGa_zoLdpAap9Lla4lVIfVp3i5Uj39GaXsVcxLkUFw4V5rWJ8oshg9MWVC6ArFwoUjrreAUQp7iVmpWDm93OQjTipiR27RwXImehHE5I5wlP9gScVu5zl3GTuWQnDZG/s640/blogger-image-39246114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMLGPH75BUR7bYSGa_zoLdpAap9Lla4lVIfVp3i5Uj39GaXsVcxLkUFw4V5rWJ8oshg9MWVC6ArFwoUjrreAUQp7iVmpWDm93OQjTipiR27RwXImehHE5I5wlP9gScVu5zl3GTuWQnDZG/s640/blogger-image-39246114.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACqQ1UTgy8y5aRG1FL0Vf5aeu91MMMqAgwHViKnd9N_BcAk8D6nRzckZeFGnhGFSo1-xO4Y5X9pXHA_oJgNPdN6bCU9SQ59a3GG4pL3WSuobZObvVa30zJpzCqEe0cNCpYfhBcSn97lBM/s640/blogger-image-1706556817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACqQ1UTgy8y5aRG1FL0Vf5aeu91MMMqAgwHViKnd9N_BcAk8D6nRzckZeFGnhGFSo1-xO4Y5X9pXHA_oJgNPdN6bCU9SQ59a3GG4pL3WSuobZObvVa30zJpzCqEe0cNCpYfhBcSn97lBM/s640/blogger-image-1706556817.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZQXvzUCncK_v-w8oRHZ1UHP9lV9e-r7apd4lV5E-wEQBff-kUYrVwXCxgOXh2dNU6aoOAuHMMzjXM5LowQ9VDYdWBd4L06oCEjzYzFA5L1HwBc2lMUKQHsZw2h7dxGRWxKfrqTZnXWFn/s640/blogger-image-1055919011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZQXvzUCncK_v-w8oRHZ1UHP9lV9e-r7apd4lV5E-wEQBff-kUYrVwXCxgOXh2dNU6aoOAuHMMzjXM5LowQ9VDYdWBd4L06oCEjzYzFA5L1HwBc2lMUKQHsZw2h7dxGRWxKfrqTZnXWFn/s640/blogger-image-1055919011.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FPG9hKvlrVkTOsMcLQ63rQYUyFFbflptoTWNWHqizhtjxwx3fZGVe2pt_prFlikjvmZFr9qnoWv80-Bp8v2tQ1LySCuV8apX2u56zxUV35R62QdeOBx9z1iWarh44TXoed_M4kQ_YdjS/s640/blogger-image-1451460910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FPG9hKvlrVkTOsMcLQ63rQYUyFFbflptoTWNWHqizhtjxwx3fZGVe2pt_prFlikjvmZFr9qnoWv80-Bp8v2tQ1LySCuV8apX2u56zxUV35R62QdeOBx9z1iWarh44TXoed_M4kQ_YdjS/s640/blogger-image-1451460910.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-29672074764186308122014-07-12T02:37:00.001-07:002014-07-12T03:19:46.462-07:00They just "get it"<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our family is in Houston, Texas for Parson Blue to represent Team Texas and Texas Children's Hospital at The Transplant Games of America. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is so hard to put it into words. It is difficult to explain. But I found MY people this weekend. People like me. People who "get it". </span></div><div><br></div><div>I found the mother who knows what it feels like to pray/plead over the hospital bed of her child with every ounce of her being for just one more day with her child while you wait on "the call". I found the mother who gave a huge part of her soul away to give another child one more day. I found caregivers like me who have set alarms at all hours of the day/night to administer life saving anti rejection Meds and other various medical treatments. I found amazing brave big sisters and brothers who have daily taken a back seat to a sick sibling. I found other strong siblings who lost their best friend but will tell you about the importance of organ donation. I found miracle workers who are "on call" to make connections between life saving organs being harvested and transplanted all over the country I found other families whose lives were rocked just like ours who now celebrate a "new normal" because of organ donation. I found people old and young who celebrate EVERY single day that they have been given and do not take even one single breath for granted. </div><div><br></div><div>After struggling over the past two years in my new identity, it feels so good to find my people. The ones who can't sleep because of the fear of rejection. The ones who are startled awake at all hours of the night because of screeching medical equipment alarms. The Momma's and daddies who have made hundreds of trips for physical, occupational, and speech therapy visits like me. The ones who scour the internet to get info on the latest diagnosis or medical term that just came on their radar. The ones who know about kangaroo pumps, 12 French Mickey buttons and prograf. The people who know what it feels like to not sweat the small stuff. The ones who have run out of tears to cry. The people who have more doctors cell phone numbers in their contacts than friends. The people who now have doctors and nurses as a part of their family. I found other people like me who have been carried by their friends, family and small town armies through prayer and support on the most difficult days of their lives. </div><div><br></div><div>Clearly I don't need that alarm that I set somewhere around 2am to wake up at 6am. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why am I wide awake at 3:47am reliving it over and over!?!? This momma can't sleep because she is so excited because her family went to a baseball game last night like a normal family. I</span> cannot stop thinking about brave donor families. Brave transplant recipients. Brave siblings. Brave doctors. Brave nurses. Brave kids like my Parson Blue and brave people like me. </div><div><br></div><div>I LOVE to tell Parson's story and feel an overwhelming responsibility to share it until she is able to share for herself. I am passionate about organ donation - it saved her life. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I cannot wait to wake up and walk in a 5k tomorrow morning and celebrate LIFE (tutu's and Texas shirts included). Oh how I</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> needed this. There is something so healing about being around your people. I cannot wait to find more of my people tomorrow - the ones who "get it". </span></div><div><br></div><div>Brave Team Texas - TX Children's kiddo. </div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9a3Gyvkwf7YJYROYBsbpo9x1698i2KcBUcWK8kB8GjYcZHcDVn-r7sgCDOCmsCKrG7Dek2P_WdmlTuxRR9rjc7cp_ouJJsI9yLXcPQcwlEy9BoiUQ67BtOeVg4AmGACLVrKLWrb_DVu_/s640/blogger-image--953880477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9a3Gyvkwf7YJYROYBsbpo9x1698i2KcBUcWK8kB8GjYcZHcDVn-r7sgCDOCmsCKrG7Dek2P_WdmlTuxRR9rjc7cp_ouJJsI9yLXcPQcwlEy9BoiUQ67BtOeVg4AmGACLVrKLWrb_DVu_/s640/blogger-image--953880477.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brave credentials. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9a3Gyvkwf7YJYROYBsbpo9x1698i2KcBUcWK8kB8GjYcZHcDVn-r7sgCDOCmsCKrG7Dek2P_WdmlTuxRR9rjc7cp_ouJJsI9yLXcPQcwlEy9BoiUQ67BtOeVg4AmGACLVrKLWrb_DVu_/s640/blogger-image--953880477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXJVMCMOZ3FWSvM6HwTrBXXTSkM7u4esLyRCKIDRozrLqKNssbzD3WE93Z8Nh6Ez9gZb6pf9-4bHAzg3Jpit4-rzV3kedIQx4nsVhLFSTzKCEoYD0rbNc_hY9xNSrvz3gSBaU6eo3VVP_/s640/blogger-image--1108514057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXJVMCMOZ3FWSvM6HwTrBXXTSkM7u4esLyRCKIDRozrLqKNssbzD3WE93Z8Nh6Ez9gZb6pf9-4bHAzg3Jpit4-rzV3kedIQx4nsVhLFSTzKCEoYD0rbNc_hY9xNSrvz3gSBaU6eo3VVP_/s640/blogger-image--1108514057.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A Brave donor family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSJzs9KhGfvwBh2aWUJBXo9L0SjnzRPcMztsPJiSn-Qrbb9-_zQXJSRM9b_hMGX8c27_CcCa2iYsMAKb6UFjRpL80c2V7ETUZfXqx9eWQmeazytQWg6mgni8X0rrSVhA0V1trW6nCvd5_/s640/blogger-image-1559670337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSJzs9KhGfvwBh2aWUJBXo9L0SjnzRPcMztsPJiSn-Qrbb9-_zQXJSRM9b_hMGX8c27_CcCa2iYsMAKb6UFjRpL80c2V7ETUZfXqx9eWQmeazytQWg6mgni8X0rrSVhA0V1trW6nCvd5_/s640/blogger-image-1559670337.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two brave transplant kiddos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Lung/liver & lung) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfruHAGm3gPWdpMg-iyWlYAybURnPkrxDOfkIpJMykKgiqc6LR9km_EqIiEF410q-H2UTqOUfUySbhn_ZV_I1ocZB_AqeRPj-l-R3kXsGve5HPKY8O0xw3m5W1RTWo4PNTkuYgqqrlF_7/s640/blogger-image--1661376522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfruHAGm3gPWdpMg-iyWlYAybURnPkrxDOfkIpJMykKgiqc6LR9km_EqIiEF410q-H2UTqOUfUySbhn_ZV_I1ocZB_AqeRPj-l-R3kXsGve5HPKY8O0xw3m5W1RTWo4PNTkuYgqqrlF_7/s640/blogger-image--1661376522.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brave Blue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbqG5MTvOfxikFqFcZ50sp5cwvu0b0vxttoX3H7tb4R7jQ3h1BgCee7qk7cks7JZF0dvy6SIo8pveoWwEA_U-rJmbgzlz4kXeyq_kuAMbAb71dw5sxwoQYEwhyiZz3XHN93obujAwsAwt/s640/blogger-image--437685475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbqG5MTvOfxikFqFcZ50sp5cwvu0b0vxttoX3H7tb4R7jQ3h1BgCee7qk7cks7JZF0dvy6SIo8pveoWwEA_U-rJmbgzlz4kXeyq_kuAMbAb71dw5sxwoQYEwhyiZz3XHN93obujAwsAwt/s640/blogger-image--437685475.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brave big sister. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRC4REGAcGeGDF-U1yiTHiXHENV5IPOed6FA8CQABIeN7t2zuiUDiqpMjNt3HdtR2_m-BKBtf_ewXLSuhCdHudMT1cCLcCcW_OGH1y9Ws1hqMzSo7C8AR7yyBo1lRLBN6plxMysfdUNUaP/s640/blogger-image--343448693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRC4REGAcGeGDF-U1yiTHiXHENV5IPOed6FA8CQABIeN7t2zuiUDiqpMjNt3HdtR2_m-BKBtf_ewXLSuhCdHudMT1cCLcCcW_OGH1y9Ws1hqMzSo7C8AR7yyBo1lRLBN6plxMysfdUNUaP/s640/blogger-image--343448693.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brave transplant Buddy. Kendall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhoBNoxsPK1cNrhAXuxtmtBOeM8-MY6boEdvEKvyTpQcvUw-oL3JR86jL0knvscRWqYyVWltU1cQQHDe9xbZBMu_TidkKRwPKs5yPZXrKZoyij7J2XlKXppqT2JDvE_Z42eLLanNF3XGa/s640/blogger-image--1207076497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhoBNoxsPK1cNrhAXuxtmtBOeM8-MY6boEdvEKvyTpQcvUw-oL3JR86jL0knvscRWqYyVWltU1cQQHDe9xbZBMu_TidkKRwPKs5yPZXrKZoyij7J2XlKXppqT2JDvE_Z42eLLanNF3XGa/s640/blogger-image--1207076497.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><br></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-17048207031807211302014-05-28T19:26:00.001-07:002014-05-28T19:49:25.143-07:00What IF it is all sacred?<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What IF it is all sacred?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I mean the loads of laundry, the mowing of the yard, the spelling words, the caring for sick loved ones, the endless wet beach towels and bathing suits, the committee meetings, the chickens in the kitchen, the sight words, the pink eye, the flat tires, the genetic mutations, the stepping on lego's in the dark? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is nothing like a devastating medical diagnosis to get your attention right quick and absolutely change the way you think. I used to worry about <i>this</i> and worry about <i>that</i>. But somehow in the midst of the storm, an overwhelming peace came to me. Now the things of this earth grow strangely dim. The things that I used to <i>think</i> mattered, just don't really matter much anymore. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of HIS glory & grace."</i></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I do some of my best thinking while cutting the grass on the riding lawn mower. One of my favorite songs to listen to while mowing is "Lead of Love" by Caedmon's Call (an old group I listed to while in college). The song has a great line that says "Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view. Looking back I see the lead of love."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You gotta admit, it is hard to beat the view from the top. But sometimes you have to cross the rocks to get to that awesome view. Most of the time those rocky patches seem to sneak up on us when we least expect it. Makes me think of an old saying I heard my Daddy say a million times...The bridge is washed out and I can't swim and my baby's on the other side. Sometimes life sends us detours (the plan B, curve ball kind of stuff) that you don't have any other choice but to "gut it up" and take it on. What IF all those things are sacred? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-dobid="hdw"><i><b>sa·cred </b></i></span><i>ˈsākrid/ <b> </b></i><i>adjective</i></span></div><div><div class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" style="overflow: hidden; max-height: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b></b></span></div><ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; list-style: none;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="padding-top: 10px;"><div style="margin-left: 20px;"><div style="margin-left: -20px;"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">connected with God or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration.</i></div></div></div></div></li></ol></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What if the Legos, the bills, the diagnosis, the detour ... What if it is all connected with God? What if all that "stuff" deserves great reverence from me? What if I have to walk the rocks to see the mountain view? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0px;"><i><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-indent: 25px;">And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.</span> - Colossians 3:17</b></i></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh my sweet friends, it ain't easy, and it ain't fun, but please don't be scared to walk the rocks. Everything is sacred. God has amazing, SACRED things out there for you. I promise, looking back you will see the lead of love. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From Caedmon's Call "Lead of Love" ...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Looking back at the road so far, It sure has left it's share of scars</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Mostly from leaving the narrow & straight.</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Looking back it is clear to me that a man is more than the sum of his deeds. </i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>How you make good of this mess I've made, Is a profound mystery. </i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Looking back, I know you had to bring me through.</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>All that I was, so afraid of, though I questioned the sky, now I see why.</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>I had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view. </i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Looking back I see the lead of love. </i></span></div></div></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzGlBL11askprE-gum-5gOVHNn6Ko3Jgznu_-5MVqXAxCw72Eqw0hto_PUSDtuK8UCB_zRq9TZkcuP4NhKZNkYwTvdm4mUiZjEcXV_vxjY0rFP9dh7I5zHDHIB0tq6SBu8ThHprRG605E/s640/blogger-image-1077893092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzGlBL11askprE-gum-5gOVHNn6Ko3Jgznu_-5MVqXAxCw72Eqw0hto_PUSDtuK8UCB_zRq9TZkcuP4NhKZNkYwTvdm4mUiZjEcXV_vxjY0rFP9dh7I5zHDHIB0tq6SBu8ThHprRG605E/s640/blogger-image-1077893092.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfbF-3Wfohh-ThW3Q-9xcgbFuRrB3bknwLLGsX3-VtdXWoadOVgym8Utj_PWN7b9vwwbNY6aIj4itB-GPs8KOW7Z4UNtGhcDXpA3Gc1FqroGPMaf_VEt4Y8Ei2zn9ZcahosawOKnyG5kb/s640/blogger-image--1355604097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-70250146944138102892014-05-11T08:12:00.001-07:002014-05-28T18:37:14.233-07:00My SecretOver the course of the past two years, many folks have told me "I don't know how you do it." So, even though I am not one to give away family secrets, I am gonna let you in on my secret for success. <div><div><br></div><div>I am the daughter of Janie Sheffield. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On November 5, 1972, God saw fit to make me her daughter. She and my Daddy taught me absolutely everything I know. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My Momma taught me how to do the right thing even when you don't want to. She taught me how to be hard headed and ask questions. She taught me how to appreciate people - all sizes, all ages, all shapes, and all colors. She taught me how to dig in my heels. She taught me what it means to work hard and play hard. She taught me that tough times don't last, but tough people do. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She showed me how to love unconditionally. She didn't always like me but she ALWAYS loved me. She taught me how to tackle hard tasks by eating "that elephant one bite at a time". She taught me how to give of my time, talents and possessions. She taught me to live life with no "what if's". </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She taught me that there is nothing wrong with crying - in fact it is healthy. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She taught me how to make it after losing someone you love dearly. She taught me a love for my family and my savior. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> of my momma I know that everything is always gonna be ok. Because He lives, I can face Tomorrow. She also taught me that you can't ever sing that song without crying. She taught me how to pick a man and love a man. Momma taught me how to use my mind and hands to be creative. She taught me to measure twice and cut once. Momma taught me how to work hard and play hard. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Momma taught me how to tough it out when times are tough and soak it in when Life is Good. Give it all you got - even when you don't like what you got. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Whether it be genetic mutations, ADHD, lung transplants, or dyslexia -- my momma had me ready for whatever life brought my way. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Momma taught me that I can do anything.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I am terribly sorry that you were not the lucky one chosen to be raised by this mighty woman. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So here's to my Momma, who taught me how to do this life right. I love you! </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2NJQo-P71nivM1rWvaplx8bYs7XxjFUEBM87mwqLc1bxVyuE9CGGR3Wd85EbF3-Mbkv9e7i2pC_HtblBx8WXvsOgXYmKFSqQ3HkNRBZnPEzScZTjO-RMCCu4eFSDydlwZA3YrXHIe8SE/s640/blogger-image--1183146979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2NJQo-P71nivM1rWvaplx8bYs7XxjFUEBM87mwqLc1bxVyuE9CGGR3Wd85EbF3-Mbkv9e7i2pC_HtblBx8WXvsOgXYmKFSqQ3HkNRBZnPEzScZTjO-RMCCu4eFSDydlwZA3YrXHIe8SE/s640/blogger-image--1183146979.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmfWSoL0Q8XLfeGfqclyOPpKBF_cRTIQ8otJ_kwJGjQ228t_mu_qlRGJyTj11cp-yz9Z2WpnpcumJq6spaAaTOTMhBLHe9KPM8iO4wOHpyDlaBM-o5F0NQ45FjgN0I3CkIzlv2xag9-HP/s640/blogger-image--437164429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmfWSoL0Q8XLfeGfqclyOPpKBF_cRTIQ8otJ_kwJGjQ228t_mu_qlRGJyTj11cp-yz9Z2WpnpcumJq6spaAaTOTMhBLHe9KPM8iO4wOHpyDlaBM-o5F0NQ45FjgN0I3CkIzlv2xag9-HP/s640/blogger-image--437164429.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-82976528644235255172014-04-14T20:23:00.001-07:002014-04-14T21:54:11.779-07:00Bumbling BoomerangYou've heard <font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">of bumbling idiots...well I feel the need to set the record straight. I </font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">am a bumbling boomerang. </span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">After quite a few months in blog-abstentia, here I am. (Actually during this time away, I started 9 different blogs, but never finished them. Maybe it will be good stuff for another day.) I could give you all a whole buncha great excuses as to where I have been, but it would all be just that - excuses. Truth is, while I was bumbling around in a physical, occupational and speech therapy stouper -- </font><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I got swept away by an out of control, </font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">dyslexic, ADHD, curly headed tornado. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Focus people. I'm gonna need you to FOCUS. When the much publicized "sight word" debacle stretched from 2012 all the way into 2014, Darby finally got all the people in her corner to realize that there was way more to her story than we knew. After quite a few "Darby Clark Herrington Fan Club" meetings, a few diagnostic tests, and some new "focus" meds, the glorious light has come on for my curly headed tornado. She has made amazing improvements in reading and school since January and LIFE IS GOOD! This kiddo has realized that letters form words, words form sentences, and sentences tell a story. Darby has gone from US reading her the Bible stories at bedtime, to HER reading the stories now. She is a new kid. Can I get a hallelujah?!?!?! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Parson has gotten quite a full head of curls now as well. I guess I have to specify which curly headed tornado I am referring to nowadays. Perhaps I should name the storms - (maybe like Maggie used to refer to my sister and me) - the big'un and the littl'un. So, the Littl'un has kept me hopping also. She has 3 physical therapy, 2 occupational therapy, and 2 speech therapy sessions a week. (Why am I so tired if that is only 7 hours of actual therapy? ) Honestly people, I have never worked harder in my whole life. On top of that, we have the occasional doctor visit, various tests and infusion center appointments. Parson still has </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">developmental delays, is slow to walk, slow to talk and even slower to eat by mouth. But</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> you know what? She has been given the "all clear" by her doctor to get out and about and be exposed and she is loving life and ROCKIN' her new lungs! (Afterall, we didn't get new lungs to live in a bubble.) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">While Parson was so sick, I saw something about life being like a boomerang. You get back what you send out. I have thought about that little ditty a lot in the past few months. Some circumstances lately have left me a little jaded, others have left me a lot jaded. And I have been bumbling around for the last several months in boomerang limbo. I mean, if you don't send anything out, you don't get anything back. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Being completely consumed by my own two children's lives has gotten the best of me. Exactly as it should be. I can't think of a better way to invest. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">By not "working", I have really struggled to find my worth since giving up my old day job and paycheck. It is absolutely crazy how the devil has used that on me. I have felt like I am not sending any boomerangs out to help, when in reality I am investing in the most precious of all kids - my own. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Please understand that I am not putting my children's business out there to belittle them in anyway. I thought sight words and oral aversion were gonna be the death of me. I know there is somebody out there in the trenches that needs some encouragement. Right now you think what you are going through is gonna kill you - but take heart and send out your boomerang. YOU WILL SURVIVE! Joy cometh in the morning. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Take it from this bumbling boomerang -- You send nothing out, you are gonna get nothing back. Throw out your boomerang and invest in someone else's life. I</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> promise it will come back to you when you need it most. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBCwEzTVhPQSiEXkak3pqvub8E6gz2dyMHm89422RGnBuZk1m69cyQmrUUAoG63Erdfd4EPftKYA2U3df0yqOmnyj2Yt2ULnb5ICoZCIsmZlhrpfE4QzOqOdgV-_JbhLXfRK2G5PcrRZh/s640/blogger-image-1471344335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBCwEzTVhPQSiEXkak3pqvub8E6gz2dyMHm89422RGnBuZk1m69cyQmrUUAoG63Erdfd4EPftKYA2U3df0yqOmnyj2Yt2ULnb5ICoZCIsmZlhrpfE4QzOqOdgV-_JbhLXfRK2G5PcrRZh/s640/blogger-image-1471344335.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Photo credit: Nadia Martindale) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-45273009210824188422013-11-05T09:47:00.001-08:002013-11-08T13:39:39.512-08:00Count YOUR blessings.<div><br></div>After getting a routine check up at the doc yesterday and waking up early for lab work and my first mammogram ever today - <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I feel ALIVE! </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The weather has been GREAT. All of my people are healthy. Life slowed down enough for me to take care of some overdue things on the "to do" list. And Christmas music snuck in to my house yesterday on the satellite radio. :) </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">You know, I could easily get bogged down in the fact that Parson isn't the least bit interested in eating and still deSating at night -or that Darby is struggling with spelling and reading --but none of that matters - we are ALIVE! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Lemme tell ya friends, there is nothing like a major healthcare crisis to put things in perspective</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. It gets me every time when I start to count my blessings. Whew. Overwhelmed. TODAY</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> is a huge blessing and just being alive is a huge blessing. I have got air coming through my nose. My heart is beating. That is HUGE! Are you with me? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>I watched three great internet videos recently that reminded me about perspective. One is of a mother listening to her daughters heartbeat after they chose to donate her organs after a tragic accident. She heard her daughters heart beating providing new life for another woman. Whew -that was something. The other piece was about UT football player Case McCoy overcoming a childhood filled with medical issues to become a big success on the football field. (I love a good sports story - especially the ones about overcomers.) Then there was the one of a lady about to undergo a double mastectomy - but she first invited her surgical team to join her in a dance party in the operating room. She rocked that dance party and surgery. THAT is GOOD stuff. Those people are ALIVE! </div><div><br></div><div>When I count my blessings, I become completely overwhelmed. You oughta give it a try. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here is a little secret - count YOUR blessings, not your neighbors. When you worry about others and try to count their blessings - you get all tangled up in things that don't matter and you will come up feeling empty. Don't</span> focus on the things you don't have or things you wish you had - Count YOUR blessings. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">When you start to focus on what IS and what you DO have, you realize that you are ALIVE. </span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">God blessed YOU. Your heart is beating. You have purpose. You are ALIVE. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It is all about perspective. You can worry that you HAVE to take "all those medicines" or be thankful that you GET to take "all those medicines" -- Taking the meds means that you are still ALIVE. You can worry that you HAVE to clean up the living room AGAIN because your family made a big mess or be thankful that you have a family to clean up after</font><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">. </font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I guess I gotta be thankful for that pink lizard that came out of the last load of laundry. Same thing with dirty dishes, bills to pay and homework.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><i>Deuteronomy 28:1-6</i></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div><i>1 "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.</i></div><div><i>2 <b><u>And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you,</u></b> if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.</i></div><div><i>3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.</i></div><div><i>4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.</i></div><div><i>5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.</i></div><div><i>6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.</i></div><div><br></div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">"</font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Count your many blessings name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God hath done." ........ </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Your people. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your child's giggles. Your</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> salvation. Your friends that listen.........</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The dirty dishes, laundry and homework mean that you are ALIVE!!!!!!! </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is NO doubt, He has blessed you and your basket is overflowing. Let</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> HIS blessings overtake you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx34i7MQhW7aD6YzNPzV-NKoAYYpPOyFSWKi2H2EC_HIe_FHBqLADJxIhxHdtN20UMR-iqgxyeysqWKe89jxBXmvsh47rqYHJf9WUvG7DpkORlaILEFgtK6gT3pdCZQ1lUsyhR5tSFWPJ/s640/blogger-image--1213779290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx34i7MQhW7aD6YzNPzV-NKoAYYpPOyFSWKi2H2EC_HIe_FHBqLADJxIhxHdtN20UMR-iqgxyeysqWKe89jxBXmvsh47rqYHJf9WUvG7DpkORlaILEFgtK6gT3pdCZQ1lUsyhR5tSFWPJ/s640/blogger-image--1213779290.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsxLBw61yu1BajvfQ4zK3BBak3NBySnuBRGc_hhRl_mBFY44cSAyl567Td_KEtp0xH031SioM4xXlHu_orf4SnEPPEIkVrOiPq4N-4cImI-FZUqUSuVgtcjvFGYD7W8PrpsXBf44HyGQy/s640/blogger-image--899677187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Parson update...</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Four months post transplant and this little rascal is doing GREAT! Seems like she really turned a corner this past weekend. She is starting to bend her legs backward like she wants to crawl. She is reaching for EVERYTHING in sight and really trying to move from her belly front/back a great deal. I really feel like she will be crawling soon. No doubt, this baby was born to boogie. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">She goes for physical therapy twice a week with Dr. Cary Malone for an hour each visit. We are scheduled early <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">at 6:45 am</a> so we can avoid as many germs as possible. She has certainly come a VERY long way from the kiddo who could not even hold up her head after transplant. Now she wants to move! She also goes to speech/feeding therapy once a week for an hour. She is making great improvements in her oral skills, but we monitor her nutrition carefully so it is primarily achieved by pediasure via GTube - 5 feedings a day. She puts food in her mouth but still isn't crazy about swallowing much. She does like the baby food "puff" cereal and has just begun putting them in her mouth all by herself like a big girl. She has a mouth full of teeth and she recently made a BIG step as she now puts her hands & toys in her mouth all the time. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">She gave me a bit of a scare last Friday by running a fever and acting sick for the first time since transplant. She kept retching like she wanted to vomit but she cannot because of her Fundoplication surgery. We rushed to the doctor and she was almost back to normal before we got there. :) I probably over reacted, but her lethargy and fever gave me quite a scare. :) She is completely fine now. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Each morning she takes 11 medicines <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">at 9am</a>. Each night she takes 6 Meds <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3">at 9pm</a>. (She has a few other Meds she takes as needed.) The meds are given thru her GTube in her belly. I monitor her oxygen saturations with a pulse oximeter on her toe/foot. I also take her blood pressure and temperature several times a day. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Tomorrow we will head to Lufkin to see our friends at Dr. Fidone's office so she can get her first Synagis injection of the season. This is an antibody injection that provides extra protection during the RSV/cold/flu season. She will get the shots once a month through the month of March. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Parson loves to be entertained by her big sister Darby. She likes making funny faces and has begun to laugh out laugh more often. She loves playing with matchbox cars. She likes listening/dancing to The Commodores on the record player. She loves riding outside in the "green machine". She is saying "mama" and working on "dada" and "bye bye". She loves to play and laugh on the bed with her Daddy. She sleeps all through the night, but she doesn't like naps during the day.</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">We will head back to Texas Children's for a clinic check up with Dr. Mallory, lung transplant physician/Pulmonologist, <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4">on October 28th.</a> </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Thanks for keeping track of Parson's journey. We are so very thankful to be able to give such a great report. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Pancakes for supper. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-Xrm4z9yX8BihsGzdDxgUZ8_9fONwiEZsR3j8RWP7UOTDC9Y22LOV1a-usJUWIFt06OEIenPrrlkWmw60qmJur32H799hxmiYDp6ADoO7wCaa7F5VYpyskJWkdOjhNztdFXZIU6USbfK/s640/blogger-image--485058488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-Xrm4z9yX8BihsGzdDxgUZ8_9fONwiEZsR3j8RWP7UOTDC9Y22LOV1a-usJUWIFt06OEIenPrrlkWmw60qmJur32H799hxmiYDp6ADoO7wCaa7F5VYpyskJWkdOjhNztdFXZIU6USbfK/s640/blogger-image--485058488.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hands in the mouth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNtFli9hQC7U7FMsYaKVoUboAIJhZMLi7TVCeWIOHoTqpY0voxMARGUUCOfcitPdycn7PIw-gs0rs0HZOv7NIAVv2tqyR5WqvuV4mk11YPtuRsOEMo0CkYNxftmclgvW3M0U-9guGnJDP/s640/blogger-image--525791569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNtFli9hQC7U7FMsYaKVoUboAIJhZMLi7TVCeWIOHoTqpY0voxMARGUUCOfcitPdycn7PIw-gs0rs0HZOv7NIAVv2tqyR5WqvuV4mk11YPtuRsOEMo0CkYNxftmclgvW3M0U-9guGnJDP/s640/blogger-image--525791569.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjW82DqgXekOp8MCy_yTfnwD5R03VN-JwAu03GL-aUoIWpdskOFWM7aYwCvFGajrZMdMUEuKh_SwFkurKRaBPrfu8zOUT7imROD7S5MGdN-3qVGwsFMttY-wc0u9MDmfwRPydQUSpgd6Q/s640/blogger-image-391826705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjW82DqgXekOp8MCy_yTfnwD5R03VN-JwAu03GL-aUoIWpdskOFWM7aYwCvFGajrZMdMUEuKh_SwFkurKRaBPrfu8zOUT7imROD7S5MGdN-3qVGwsFMttY-wc0u9MDmfwRPydQUSpgd6Q/s640/blogger-image-391826705.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Riding in the "Green Machine" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLegxPrj3Q2CnevhMBbaFIHmkgiykKV7KsN0yOCiU1WKvSH7-0lHyXxer2k_2kNtJc_pCMkdg9K2YRkWGbiq2rTcKrs-anQcsHaIGVEXrFdbWtDa4iipWOKrPiNfa9ZftG8Dm_D5okawVF/s640/blogger-image-1157918979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLegxPrj3Q2CnevhMBbaFIHmkgiykKV7KsN0yOCiU1WKvSH7-0lHyXxer2k_2kNtJc_pCMkdg9K2YRkWGbiq2rTcKrs-anQcsHaIGVEXrFdbWtDa4iipWOKrPiNfa9ZftG8Dm_D5okawVF/s640/blogger-image-1157918979.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Best Buds ( mmmm - this scooter handle tastes yummy. ) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7zsH60SOcvX_M4XD2OI8Aj-CSSQJHtItDzWBvdYpbk05e3BnSLq0FVqpzXykm6uOn-HGal_0czFFpFMKNHEeg7jVSRBYX9uWPWSsQe0j7Rf1OWcyGL422sQtIxoQLAGx-MxqQdlmvsLb/s640/blogger-image--1285768098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7zsH60SOcvX_M4XD2OI8Aj-CSSQJHtItDzWBvdYpbk05e3BnSLq0FVqpzXykm6uOn-HGal_0czFFpFMKNHEeg7jVSRBYX9uWPWSsQe0j7Rf1OWcyGL422sQtIxoQLAGx-MxqQdlmvsLb/s640/blogger-image--1285768098.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqAKGTgTj3IcN21pcSWm6hT6x3_gXE71QP6bsYhcA4vk4EHKgcYJxSJS4cFvFgZC9CkX2T6D16TIm4Y6nSHOLEYZIqy_8a0mEcCbdGJeYBbrSvGsHzc4s0vVBd6UsUgRft9zzPX1zp2n6/s640/blogger-image-135248020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqAKGTgTj3IcN21pcSWm6hT6x3_gXE71QP6bsYhcA4vk4EHKgcYJxSJS4cFvFgZC9CkX2T6D16TIm4Y6nSHOLEYZIqy_8a0mEcCbdGJeYBbrSvGsHzc4s0vVBd6UsUgRft9zzPX1zp2n6/s640/blogger-image-135248020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4FbentN7F6qAdefMJbYI8W1hgZzajkvFjVcPvLWfOZAlmODr88RBJCczhqgol-NcHSV0_WyjD0l5GK3CvOyutSQh0-gCGH1IOet-WEZilNmeKiteOH-X-IOnlfihles89QXtObUKrQy7/s640/blogger-image--1219753359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4FbentN7F6qAdefMJbYI8W1hgZzajkvFjVcPvLWfOZAlmODr88RBJCczhqgol-NcHSV0_WyjD0l5GK3CvOyutSQh0-gCGH1IOet-WEZilNmeKiteOH-X-IOnlfihles89QXtObUKrQy7/s640/blogger-image--1219753359.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-40795866163683259532013-10-08T08:16:00.001-07:002013-10-11T09:29:05.431-07:00Two thumbs up...I started this whole blog thing sometime ago as a personal journal of sorts. I have most often written it <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">on my iPhone - with just two thumbs while</span> doing something else (usually holding Parson, chasing Darby, cooking supper, washing clothes, or watching baseball). <div><br></div><div>Since being home from the hospital, I have tried to swap over to the iPad or laptop to make things quicker or easier - but it just doesn't feel right. I have sat down and started a blog on the other device, but ultimately it is right back to the iPhone. I guess I just gotta admit it - it is something about the thumbs. You know that is what separates us from the other mammals huh? We have 2 opposable thumbs and they don't. Na nana boo boo! (So despite what Disney wants you to believe - you aren't gonna see any dogs running around with a blog -- for goodness sakes they don't have thumbs!) </div><div><br></div><div>Anyhow, thinking about two thumbs this morning led me to thinking about how amazing our physical bodies are. Certainly one of God's most amazing creations. Crazy to think about the bones, the tendons, the muscles, the brain and how they all work together. Of course I could not help but think about how amazing it is that Parson is able to breathe with someone else's donor lungs. WOW - Just absolutely blows me away. It is also amazing that God made our bodies to heal themselves. Darby had a bike wreck over the weekend and is sporting a skinned up knee & elbow. But those boo boos are already well on their way to being healed before she is even ready to get back on her bike. </div><div><br></div><div>I gotta admit, Plan B did a number on me this past 15 months. I was bumped & bruised, but I <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">kinda feel like I am healing a little bit each day . Every day I continue to be amazed with the reminders of God's faithfullness that He sends my way. Whether it is a doctor or nurse calling to check on Parson. Or a person in town sporting their Parson Blue shirt. Or a anonymous card in the mail with money. Or an encouraging note or text from a friend. Or a petunia sprouting up thru a crack in the concrete in October. God continues to show His faithfulness to me over and over again. Even though I get weary and tired in my daily struggle - He is faithful. Always. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whatever you do in word of deed, do it all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17</i></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><i><br></i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can't help but think of those that have carried me through some of the toughest days. You are all members of a great big body. Some people are arms, some are ears and some are His feet. No matter the function or the job - you have done it for HIS glory. Trust me, I know you have bad days too. I know you get weary. I know you are rowing your boat as fast as you can. I know you struggle as parents and grandparents. I know you have sleepless nights and I know you stay up late worrying- but yet, you have done so much for my family and continue to lift us up. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them... Romans 12:5-6</i>. (There is that grace again, AMAZING grace. Even though we don't deserve it, even though we might take a day off, HE doesn't.) We all get the benefit of being members of one big 'ole body. </span></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I am so glad you are doing your part. Whether you are a "doer", a "listener", a "giver" or a "prayer" - Keep being faithful. Keep sharing God's grace. Somebody like me needs YOU today. Get out there and do something good this weekend. Give somebody a smile. Share a hug. Make some cupcakes. Send somebody a two-thumbed text and tell 'em you love 'em. Your day is coming and the body of Christ will be there for you - even if it is just one thumb at a time. </span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD0V2hsFbPnPAyAXt2inmq1T7wHFHxVXZw4BnjZEqt4OknMtMBouFAeOulF5jTSSPIwty75HRfM9MWk3jyPZKNSExlVtIW_KdOvczfTfbFTfHmOGVJyVefWFJAPmbj4j11hw5xDdsgxb3/s640/blogger-image-73265319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD0V2hsFbPnPAyAXt2inmq1T7wHFHxVXZw4BnjZEqt4OknMtMBouFAeOulF5jTSSPIwty75HRfM9MWk3jyPZKNSExlVtIW_KdOvczfTfbFTfHmOGVJyVefWFJAPmbj4j11hw5xDdsgxb3/s640/blogger-image-73265319.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-79289515695794169832013-09-26T06:47:00.001-07:002013-10-02T12:33:09.823-07:00Rock on...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">10-2 is a very significant day for me. In my former life as a cycling enthusiast, I celebrated this day as the day Lance Armstrong was diagnosed and began his crusade to conquer cancer. Ugh, Lance - it just seems so insignificant now. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div>One year ago today I was thrust into a new significance for the date 10-2. I awoke to my cell phone ringing. It was the PICU nurse and she needed consent to give Parson platelets. She also said the surgery fellow was at the bedside to get consent to take Parson in for a lung biopsy later in the morning. I snatched on my clothes and rushed back to parson. On 10-2, we received the diagnosis that would ROCK our world. We learned that Parson had a genetic mutation (Filamin A deficiency) confirmed by a brain MRI that showed she had Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia. "I'm sorry, Can you repeat that? Better yet, can you write that down for us?" I remember it just like it was yesterday. Then they wheeled her out to surgery. </div><div><br></div><div>My mind has never spun out of control faster and my thumbs have never Googled faster. We waited & searched. Searched & waited. Nothing. There WAS nothing. It was rare. Parson was only the fifth little girl diagnosed at Texas Children's Hospital. As Par returned from surgery, with more questions than answers, we began our 10-2 crusade. </div><div><br></div><div>Lemme tell you friends. Nothing can absolutely ROCK your world like a major healthcare crisis. Everything changes. You think different. Your relationships are different. You pray different. You are never the same. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank the good Lord I am not the same. The "10-2's" and "bruises" bring us closer to one another. Like the song says... They give us a common spirit. They break the vow that separates us. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They make for better conversation. </span>They remind us that we are not alone in how we've been. We learn how it feels to grieve what "could have been". We learn how it feels to hurt deeper than we have ever hurt before. We learn how it feels to leave everything at that feet of Jesus. </div><div><br></div><div>Whew. I could write on & on about this experience, but as I sit here thinking back over the last year (with my eyes leaking) I can say with confidence...</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Sometimes you gotta walk the ROCKS to see the mountain view.</i></b> </div><div><br></div><div>"<i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">He alone is my ROCK and my salvation, my fortress where I cannot be shaken." - Psalm 62:6. </i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground in sinking sand. Looking back, I can see him leading with love through everything. He loves us way too much to let us be less than what we were destined to become. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All because of a savior All because of a donor. All because of a doctor. All because of a nurse. All because of people like YOU - 10-2 gives me hope to <b>ROCK ON!!! </b></span></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4nJutYD95R4xeJhMheGup1C29o_1jQUwCGtYLH0QLfNhCVuTZgZrDLB15r4UxtNQJftecU7pMSMsNpZphFVGGX23P_T9Q9OPSFmU6wzL1IJwzBR4eFNYHeqqdzSrhfwzNKeIEeWYu0FH/s640/blogger-image-2018669037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4nJutYD95R4xeJhMheGup1C29o_1jQUwCGtYLH0QLfNhCVuTZgZrDLB15r4UxtNQJftecU7pMSMsNpZphFVGGX23P_T9Q9OPSFmU6wzL1IJwzBR4eFNYHeqqdzSrhfwzNKeIEeWYu0FH/s640/blogger-image-2018669037.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tMyS4u5PQsdIRRsL84ymCqx1-6pFMmkxlsit0E_hQt6gTrIwklYR4xvcNl7StTXKlhe_WDOdKyx2wWdv-AwatRzRvkRu_3agXeWJXQlge18cE4EMMoxqRV7Pko-BFGLi0EfIFuIHz7K_/s640/blogger-image--65972645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tMyS4u5PQsdIRRsL84ymCqx1-6pFMmkxlsit0E_hQt6gTrIwklYR4xvcNl7StTXKlhe_WDOdKyx2wWdv-AwatRzRvkRu_3agXeWJXQlge18cE4EMMoxqRV7Pko-BFGLi0EfIFuIHz7K_/s640/blogger-image--65972645.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf6dt1T0LaI5ilxgtcC_hvIFjkKTVcDttic7Jwhk99HZKbuuhuVrbEbvfpoPKgp-xH2NKQwiGAjzdNsvAIubVXZ-r3e_g98fzocVrWujiidvkPh6gfNCKUPtPEKy-QAjeCGmpxUpZy82h/s640/blogger-image-159199594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf6dt1T0LaI5ilxgtcC_hvIFjkKTVcDttic7Jwhk99HZKbuuhuVrbEbvfpoPKgp-xH2NKQwiGAjzdNsvAIubVXZ-r3e_g98fzocVrWujiidvkPh6gfNCKUPtPEKy-QAjeCGmpxUpZy82h/s640/blogger-image-159199594.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8T9RyaQ9B9B_gIfBRKtrb-ImdnJIdcA8T_YONWDAx8GQwNvY872NhhQju-Fs2bbc5rk1pflzLeVRPIiqGPz0BgFxrE6oKrfh3i-xO5AzCUUpZgi7QDI7KqCytksgL_sbrkZDlpwzhbGT/s640/blogger-image--915252383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8T9RyaQ9B9B_gIfBRKtrb-ImdnJIdcA8T_YONWDAx8GQwNvY872NhhQju-Fs2bbc5rk1pflzLeVRPIiqGPz0BgFxrE6oKrfh3i-xO5AzCUUpZgi7QDI7KqCytksgL_sbrkZDlpwzhbGT/s640/blogger-image--915252383.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-88135494233229805852013-09-18T11:04:00.001-07:002013-09-20T06:59:05.863-07:00Tis the SeasonWe ran to Lufkin yesterday to get flu shots <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and I did some thinkin' on the way home. Well really, the love bugs got me thinking. </span><div><div><br></div><div>I really hate love bugs. I hate the smell. I hate how they linger & tickle you with no regards for your personal space. I hate the mess they leave on your car. Just no real redeeming quality of those bugs if you ask me. Did I mention that I hate the smell? Except, today they reminded me that in a small way, it signals that the seasons are about to change. Ahhhh - Fall is coming soon. </div><div><br></div><div>There is a dear, sweet lady in my church that refers to the seasons a lot. You know-- the seasons of life. Mrs. Winnie is great in her wisdom of scripture and life in general. Many years ago she encouraged me by talking about the "seasons of life" and I have gone back to it so many times since. </div><div><br></div><div>Honestly, in thinking back over the past year, there are many many days I would love to forget. It was a tough one. Dare I say, the toughest one yet. But I keep reminding myself that this is only for a season. If we are honest with ourselves, we each have a preference of "sweatshirts & blue jeans" or "flip flops & tank tops". (<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here in deep east Texas we only get to experience two seasons - sweatshirt season and flip flop season.) </span> Some of us are summer people and some of us are winter/fall folks. But if we really admit it- most of us are just glad to finally get a change every now and then. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Those pesky love bugs had me all misty eyed looking back over the last year. </span></div><div><br></div><div>The one season that scares the heck outta me is flu season. I am completely consumed in my new job as the "keeper" of an immunocompromised transplant patient. I am living in a constant fear of "what if". I go to bed thinking about germs and I wake up in the night multiple times thinking about the flu. That really isn't like me. I am a "live & let live" kinda gal. You know, que sera. But lately I have been paralyzed by the fear of a sniffle, a cough, a fever or the flu. Ugh. </div><div><br></div><div>One thing I have realized about being home is I quickly fell back into the same old bad habit of my controlling nature. Ordering every move, every decision, every step. How quickly I forgot that surrendering my control placed me in a much better place. A peaceful easy feeling. He made much better decisions for me. He knows that He created me to not understand and plan for the future. He knows I am not capable of figuring out this thing called life. He even knows I am a hopeless control freak. For goodness sakes, He knows I worry about flu season. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's why he gave me love bugs.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That is why He have me seasons. </span></div><div>That's why he gave me Ecclesiastes 3.</div><div><span style="font-weight: bold; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3 </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There is a time</span><span class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17361A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> for everything</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; position: relative;">and a season for every activity under the heavens:</span></div><div><div class="poetry top-05" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-left: 1em; position: relative; padding-left: 2.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; "><p class="line" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="indent-1"><span id="en-NIV-17362" class="text Eccl-3-2" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">2 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to be born and a time to die,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-2" style="position: relative; ">a time to plant and a time to uproot,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17362B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup></span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span id="en-NIV-17363" class="text Eccl-3-3" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">3 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to kill<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17363C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup> and a time to heal,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-3" style="position: relative; ">a time to tear down and a time to build,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span id="en-NIV-17364" class="text Eccl-3-4" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">4 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to weep and a time to laugh,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-4" style="position: relative; ">a time to mourn and a time to dance,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span id="en-NIV-17365" class="text Eccl-3-5" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">5 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-5" style="position: relative; ">a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span id="en-NIV-17366" class="text Eccl-3-6" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">6 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to search and a time to give up,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-6" style="position: relative; ">a time to keep and a time to throw away,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span id="en-NIV-17367" class="text Eccl-3-7" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">7 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to tear and a time to mend,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-7" style="position: relative; ">a time to be silent<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17367D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup> and a time to speak,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span id="en-NIV-17368" class="text Eccl-3-8" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">8 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to love and a time to hate,</span></span><br><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-8" style="position: relative; ">a time for war and a time for peace.</span></span></span></p></div></div><div>I especially like the "time to search & time to give up" part in verse 6. </div><div>OK, I hear ya. You are coming thru loud and clear. That sick feeling in my stomach is my own doing. I can't control the flu and I cannot add a single minute to this life by worrying. </div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 Peter 5:7 reminds me that God cares for me. He wants to carry my burdens and worries. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Boy, am I hard headed. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">It hit me square between the eyes as I sang an old hymn to Parson last night at bedtime... "Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear- All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">(Insert Clue phone ringing here... it's for me.) </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I AM FORFEITING PEACE. (Gulp.)</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fall is coming. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There</span> is a season for everything.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> It is time to give up.</span></div><div>Because I am redeemed, I can't let the love bugs get me down. </div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because I am redeemed, the seasons matter. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because I am redeemed, I CANNOT forfeit peace. </span></div><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-48054965446033688962013-08-27T13:17:00.001-07:002013-08-27T16:40:42.335-07:00BIG week here ...This week is Parson's 3 month post transplant evaluation. That means she is undergoing a whole battery of tests so that she can show them that she is clinically doing GREAT! <div><br></div><div>We started last week with a physical therapy evaluation and an occupational therapy evaluation. Her infant lung function test took place this past Friday. Yesterday she had a chest X-ray, blood work, pulmonary clinic (doctor visit), medicine/prescription review, then bloodwork again. Today she had a bronchoscopy with alveolar lavage and biopsy. She has done great for all the testing so far. She is such a champ, they were surprised that she didn't even cry when they pricked her finger.</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday she will have her regularly scheduled therapy. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thursday is another clinic visit where we hope to hear the BIG news we have been waiting for - "You can go home!" This Momma is getting just a little bit excited typing all of this. (That jet ride on February 4th was a long time ago.) </span>Friday she is scheduled for a cytogam infusion (4 hours) and will get her PICC line out after the infusion. Woohoo! </div><div><br></div><div>The thought of coming home is SO very exciting. My kiddo got new lungs & we are getting to come HOME! That makes me Happy Happy Happy. Our family will be together again and distance will no longer separate our hearts. </div><div><br></div><div>When we get home, we will continue our new normal and get back in the swing of things with Darby & Daddy. Parson takes many anti rejection drugs each day to allow her body to receive the donor lungs without rejection. These meds work really well and destroy her immune system in the process. So we will work to stay away from germs, sick folks & anything else that may make her ill. Please know we love each of you & would love to have heaps of visitors and run all over town visiting -- but for Parson's sake, it just isn't the best idea for a while. Thanks for understanding why we must sneak around town in and out of places quickly & not linger anywhere for long. Please know that we are not being snobby -- I wish I could stop everyone on the street and visit for a while to share her story. </div><div><br></div><div>My heart is so full. Thank you for the love, prayers and support you have shown our family. You have made the load lighter and our hearts so full. Thank you friends - We have come a L-O-N-G way baby! </div><div><br></div><div>+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+</div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">June 8 - First pic after transplant</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6mFu2H6xbb9ULk0Tf-fWsjYGjRb1ojuII8k6AMeLDOlOTgenqJ-LVxuM77QM_CFORwd0stXNK5tyPs4xLFWbZQ-c9JJBVaAIRxpGQt0WxaYa7hXZ2CVqCyyG2Ord_-WHe5odhSBX-Pt4/s640/blogger-image-658796270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6mFu2H6xbb9ULk0Tf-fWsjYGjRb1ojuII8k6AMeLDOlOTgenqJ-LVxuM77QM_CFORwd0stXNK5tyPs4xLFWbZQ-c9JJBVaAIRxpGQt0WxaYa7hXZ2CVqCyyG2Ord_-WHe5odhSBX-Pt4/s640/blogger-image-658796270.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>August 26- Clinic visit</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG7114Vo089Yk6ZsM-uPr12Zs8761P0uT_Ed5hwSrzJ_rjhnlWS4azLIFf8Qyf7PSiFntSu4ITgsXN9VCG9jIQIRtEbXDO7jSpDZ-N4x5xsPvItE3kFK38_mx2d1qP1ReBpljGw8AhuJh/s640/blogger-image--1147808935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG7114Vo089Yk6ZsM-uPr12Zs8761P0uT_Ed5hwSrzJ_rjhnlWS4azLIFf8Qyf7PSiFntSu4ITgsXN9VCG9jIQIRtEbXDO7jSpDZ-N4x5xsPvItE3kFK38_mx2d1qP1ReBpljGw8AhuJh/s640/blogger-image--1147808935.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Infant lung function test</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r89uafBANsQgxOnql3zv9YxYhkBqmduAcNLo_6PpoDEfcHb9R7zeALtxZ2f5mhyphenhyphenXpyaFiEPCprBboMXIJRq1wrL246x2t_BNorf7ToIeGIaGp-u4y4de9DOsgEG4tWX9HiurqrLPPjKs/s640/blogger-image-2033980975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r89uafBANsQgxOnql3zv9YxYhkBqmduAcNLo_6PpoDEfcHb9R7zeALtxZ2f5mhyphenhyphenXpyaFiEPCprBboMXIJRq1wrL246x2t_BNorf7ToIeGIaGp-u4y4de9DOsgEG4tWX9HiurqrLPPjKs/s640/blogger-image-2033980975.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Blood work at Infusion Center</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWGm0hFKwxCjPzq3WwT5fHIzlmcZ7GnX0YMOCN21d084GaQm5N_j72f9LYgnMC513snjPbbniFbf1VnzZ37IFOPjNNLBS_IL9owt9AfGVlBSuVJZ1H-J2qAIf6aGIP3LljQbufHfT69hF/s640/blogger-image--279550963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWGm0hFKwxCjPzq3WwT5fHIzlmcZ7GnX0YMOCN21d084GaQm5N_j72f9LYgnMC513snjPbbniFbf1VnzZ37IFOPjNNLBS_IL9owt9AfGVlBSuVJZ1H-J2qAIf6aGIP3LljQbufHfT69hF/s640/blogger-image--279550963.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IggczRSH3CmcVyFChEj23ZeO9VIZFuPRUMfBYwd5gYRCf8oaDTMotZJTqXtwxWnZhq0OlzsyOcM_azs3hOmXmXJIdI-_Ng6aDO0xk6SW_zpFw703pc-gKKIup7k9UL-v6Q2ZdIS0tRXo/s640/blogger-image--1593371726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IggczRSH3CmcVyFChEj23ZeO9VIZFuPRUMfBYwd5gYRCf8oaDTMotZJTqXtwxWnZhq0OlzsyOcM_azs3hOmXmXJIdI-_Ng6aDO0xk6SW_zpFw703pc-gKKIup7k9UL-v6Q2ZdIS0tRXo/s640/blogger-image--1593371726.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Clinic visit with Dr. Mallory</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxNmFPY3LNEmpzfeG5TNBpvAQKUzQWX-xeewj8pbZ-dUpIN5Mg6eY9UlVpprHPGJcuXzRAS1WxU_5NWmNCnUnaWbQ5TIWEXp43BC-1R7WgEtY40KgkE_N2GK-tAYyFOlvnv2K-iQW8g3d/s640/blogger-image--923951722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxNmFPY3LNEmpzfeG5TNBpvAQKUzQWX-xeewj8pbZ-dUpIN5Mg6eY9UlVpprHPGJcuXzRAS1WxU_5NWmNCnUnaWbQ5TIWEXp43BC-1R7WgEtY40KgkE_N2GK-tAYyFOlvnv2K-iQW8g3d/s640/blogger-image--923951722.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Getting ready for bronc </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt3Q5KioSaLqKubAJE3va8aKsZLMv67ojgG4UuoNBfL3cSUuXHpo0029BgpGgalmmHgb8oQeS28stQhcFbiXhtzYTKvlfcnt5tfSjvt30kfhfpaAUfy9gkXrzLoQz17pEbtTG1k3wbrMM/s640/blogger-image--2065319819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt3Q5KioSaLqKubAJE3va8aKsZLMv67ojgG4UuoNBfL3cSUuXHpo0029BgpGgalmmHgb8oQeS28stQhcFbiXhtzYTKvlfcnt5tfSjvt30kfhfpaAUfy9gkXrzLoQz17pEbtTG1k3wbrMM/s640/blogger-image--2065319819.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg_VLhGqJ14_mZQ_Eo3Qg1W43SasEB46MotsftV7zKsDekrYCevAInw7e9GOkkPddKZUUEx1D4B-3AoaoISAeEDc2DSNx81OlIfOG1sHwOvWxsOoR_BB51boF1RFcEgTmh8dotG5atyEk/s640/blogger-image-508042948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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I first learned that in my 7th grade math class when everyone was cheating and making A's and I was honestly struggling to earn my pitiful grade of a C. 7th grade hit me again with the "not fair's" when I didn't make jr. high cheerleader. (That is the first time I hadn't gotten something I REALLY worked for and wanted.) After the world started spinning again, I picked myself up, dusted myself off & started over again. Seventh grade was my rookie season on the "B Team". Years later, now I know the "B" was for Plan B. <div><br></div><div>I really struggle when bad things happen to good people. I question God when <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a tremendous 19 year old, full of life has a tragic accident and his earthly days come to an end way, way to soon. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I struggle when a pediatric physical therapist (who has spent her life pouring her heart into getting kids in the PICU to "move") gets a diagnosis of ALS that will take away her ability to move & serve others. It hits me square between the eyes again - Life isn't fair. </div><div><br></div><div>I struggle when an amazing christian husband and wife who would make a fantastic mom & dad struggle to conceive a child.</div><div><br></div><div>I struggle when a doctor devotes his life to make the rest of us well and then receives a cancer diagnosis for himself. </div><div><br></div><div>I struggle when I see Parkinson's and Alzheimer's slowly rob the very spirit of my loved one one day at a time.</div><div><br></div><div>I struggle when I see a nurse practitioner fight day in and day out to provide excellent, compassionate care to my child while quietly battling her own fight with MS. </div><div><br></div><div>I struggle when I think about a spontaneous gene mutation that has altered every single day of my child's life. </div><div><br></div><div>Life is just not fair. These are good people - Certainly some of the best. They have a heart of gold. Ugh. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why? It</span> is the ultimate sucker punch. Simply Brokenhearted. </div><div><br></div><div>The "prosperity gospel" would have me think that if I "believed enough" or "had enough faith" that these "not fair" things wouldn't be for me or any of the other good people. But I have learned over the past year of living in the middle of Plan B that prosperity isn't what I need - the word of God is what I need. It has nothing to do with being "good". </div><div><br></div><div>When I begin to question God, I have to go back to some words I wrote in the front of my Bible many many years ago ... "Every single thing has been filtered through His hands." He knew the diagnosis long before it was given. He knew the exact number of days we would share with our loved ones here on this earth. He knew that there would be times where we would be broken hearted, worn, and have our very spirit crushed. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span id="en-NIV-28051" class="text Rom-5-3">"Not only so, but we<b> </b>also glory in our sufferings,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28051A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; "></sup> because we know that suffering produces perseverance;<b> </b></span><span id="en-NIV-28052" class="text Rom-5-4">perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3-4</span></span></div><div><br></div><div>On the tough days like today, when my mind gets bogged down in the "Life's NOT fair" - I go back and think about the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. He had his fair share of bad days and understood that life was not fair. He went through terrible suffering. He served time in prison for a crime he didn't even commit. And he was sold into slavery by his very own brothers. After the whole ordeal Joseph said in Genesis 50:20 <font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Ultimately God used Joseph and his experiences to save his own family and point many other folks to the savior. </span></font></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is really easy to stand up and praise God when you have just hit the walk off home run. That makes it so easy to do the "happy dance" in the dugout. We have all practiced that dance a million times in our dreams. But let's face it-- It isn't easy to be on the losing end of life. We don't dream about losing or getting beat over and over again. But I would venture to say that I have learned more about life and love during the losing seasons.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>Some of the best things in life have come to me through the losing seasons. Because my child was so very sick, I drew nearer to God than I had ever been before. Let me tell you -- HE is the healer for the broken hearted. Redemption wins in the end. He can give you rest. He will walk with you through the very roughest of days/nights.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> His grace is enough. Especially on the days when you are on the losing end - hold tight to His promises.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">I Corinthians 2:9 provides an amazing truth for days like today --“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” </span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">God has promised a time when there will be no more suffering, no more pain, no more crying, no more tears, and we will be reunited with HIM in perfect harmony. When we belong to Him - this world is not our home, we are just passing through. </span><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Glory! </span></div><div><br></div><div>Plan B is rough and uncomfortable. Fall into the arms of Jesus. </div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He loves you with an unfailing love. He</span> will give you hope. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-55282930332098268172013-08-03T19:46:00.001-07:002013-08-05T20:02:35.388-07:00Mind over MatterMind over matter.<div>Fake it till you make it.</div><div>If it was easy, everybody would do it. </div><div>Put on your big girl panties. </div><div>Big girls don't cry. </div><div><br></div><div>Those are all phrases that I have repeated over & over to myself throughout the past year. But the one I say most often is "<b><i><u>It will not be like this forever.</u></i></b><i>" </i> I began saying it during the long, hard days back in the PICU when I would go into the public restroom and brush my teeth early each morning and late each night. (Many times with tears in my eyes.) </div><div><br></div><div>It is good "positive self talk". The phrase applies to the hard times as well as the good times. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It will not be like this forever. I really believe it. </span></div><div><br></div><div>This past week was a BIG week. It was the final week of the five week narcotic medicine weaning plan. Whew. We made the final wean of methadone Monday and Ativan Wednesday. (Methadone is a synthetic opiate/analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is a "man made" heroin. It was a step down from the strong IV Meds she was on in PICU. Parson has been on the drugs for about 6 months.) Bless her heart, she is such a little trooper. It has been extremely hard for her and she has had significant withdrawal symptoms. Her sleep pattern is completely out of whack and most nights she only settles for about 45 minutes at a time. The old alarms that used to alarm in the night to tell me she needed oxygen no longer alarm because her lungs are doing GREAT! The new alarms are those of a baby that has finally learned how to cry & fuss. What a blessing! She is unsettled from drug withdrawal, has diahrrea, chills, sweating, is irratable and on top of all of that she has a whole mouth full of teeth trying to come in. She is also still having trouble swallowing. In addition, she is having a significant amount of reflux - especially when laying down. Recent tests confirmed the reflux, which is a bummer since she had a Fundoplication surgery prior to transplant to take care of the reflux. We will meet with the surgeon next week to schedule another surgery for a repeat fundo and repeat repair of an umbilical hernia -- Looks like she blew both. It will not be like this forever. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My sweet friend gave me a new necklace... It has a new phrase that puts things in perspective. It says... <b><i><u>Life doesn't have to be perfect to be WONDERFUL. </u></i></b>Love it. It certainly fits for the last week of drug withdrawals .... Gonna add that one to the "positive self talk" phrase collection. </span></div><div><br></div><div>It has been so great to have our little family back together for the past few weeks. Darby is crazy about Parson and Parson is absolutely nuts about Darby. Rodney & Darby left to go back to Jasper and resume their work/school routine. Them leaving has brought on a whole 'nother level of withdrawals for Parson and me both. Rodney took the training wheels off Darby's bike yesterday and had plans to work with her over the next week to help her learn to ride without the training wheels. She made quick work of that little chore and is riding on her own. Time flies when you are having fun ... <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It will not be like this forever. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We will get to join them at home before long. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">As of now, we are scheduled for our three month post transplant evaluation the final week of August. If all goes well, Parson will receive her final infusion and should be given clearance to return home sometime after that. In the meantime, we stay really busy with dr appts, physical therapy, occupational therapy, blood draws & infusions. Other than the withdrawals, Parson is doing really GREAT! Thank you Jesus for this new baby. I will take a fussy baby over one that is fighting for her every breath any day! </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In everything giving thanks rejoicing always... (Even withdrawals) Because it is not gonna be like this forever. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86tcTCY2SA8c0CjiHKd961cXacgg_tVs3I9ptHwEaz6V6IExqNKTmqvsozpyXAMbe7xMxMRcZsG3mwpKbVpmYWHEMJT-Y1TFZUUvAOBF2wpNjoeg58iOvuePXM7qlutxb6ppJacyZ_gV2/s640/blogger-image--628471596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86tcTCY2SA8c0CjiHKd961cXacgg_tVs3I9ptHwEaz6V6IExqNKTmqvsozpyXAMbe7xMxMRcZsG3mwpKbVpmYWHEMJT-Y1TFZUUvAOBF2wpNjoeg58iOvuePXM7qlutxb6ppJacyZ_gV2/s640/blogger-image--628471596.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>OT using a sucker to work on swallowing & oral motor skills </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cJbFQe1uG-lTNwSIuw1zsKvA_7CO8YlknCjY3SB089dcTluID8ulrbDwk-65ta2T5Y2c7Uyb6NceWu9yC_EIVlky-ft-YsuSyhHjQg__EgwJm6EMLog80NZu3igEVNZudQUH9vKKglyK/s640/blogger-image-39654062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cJbFQe1uG-lTNwSIuw1zsKvA_7CO8YlknCjY3SB089dcTluID8ulrbDwk-65ta2T5Y2c7Uyb6NceWu9yC_EIVlky-ft-YsuSyhHjQg__EgwJm6EMLog80NZu3igEVNZudQUH9vKKglyK/s640/blogger-image-39654062.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>My Uncle Willie says dumdum suckers are great. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiINUVKOvr_MKZxy4dGSl70NxSZXoPTiyctj3ve9RNJEi64rWKdczR3UfSEqSwO5m_9PV4nL0EGbLQfq7qGNIcwoFGnZj4sk5EYPzRQT8MmrQhZasfnZdZvNjFTYe4Dw2gyW2hcihJAPqz/s640/blogger-image--1287608989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiINUVKOvr_MKZxy4dGSl70NxSZXoPTiyctj3ve9RNJEi64rWKdczR3UfSEqSwO5m_9PV4nL0EGbLQfq7qGNIcwoFGnZj4sk5EYPzRQT8MmrQhZasfnZdZvNjFTYe4Dw2gyW2hcihJAPqz/s640/blogger-image--1287608989.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Darby took Daddy grocery shopping. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZVy7xGf6fJB74MR0aLZbDU8XWcAMQtfQjJGDxN9q2dPAS0px9-hN24DS3MU16j1YmL8MoJ1iaQAQxuPVAC7L7uLOibjfBloR6Tl2P3Ocq1GwmJUSXVsV3hRY64iBir1s6K8swum2WOYV/s640/blogger-image--994649059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZVy7xGf6fJB74MR0aLZbDU8XWcAMQtfQjJGDxN9q2dPAS0px9-hN24DS3MU16j1YmL8MoJ1iaQAQxuPVAC7L7uLOibjfBloR6Tl2P3Ocq1GwmJUSXVsV3hRY64iBir1s6K8swum2WOYV/s640/blogger-image--994649059.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And she's off!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdyUdY0boEyBrAIpnqSmt9frSjB0xCZn-fscHdMnzSRmY-2eB8EYjHrS6RHSCxlU-d4tO6E7lbLM4RjucapslixdiiSRU98amkjM_VAUBER6CDO5TlMjWB3byrwFI5YlBGZOASS6_T558/s640/blogger-image-1173061288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdyUdY0boEyBrAIpnqSmt9frSjB0xCZn-fscHdMnzSRmY-2eB8EYjHrS6RHSCxlU-d4tO6E7lbLM4RjucapslixdiiSRU98amkjM_VAUBER6CDO5TlMjWB3byrwFI5YlBGZOASS6_T558/s640/blogger-image-1173061288.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Par working hard with Katie in PT</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL97MpLOwBvh3E6holVMDQUH2sjFQcK04Xc9l4QJnyKAltwtnuxbp9HlF17hnZC1UfL5J-8G1d_1m8J2Yc19CB68Dawn6WDcA0txOr3tT_xldL69Mds5F_ir5H7zPkJS87R-jfzTfQqc5/s640/blogger-image-962534618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL97MpLOwBvh3E6holVMDQUH2sjFQcK04Xc9l4QJnyKAltwtnuxbp9HlF17hnZC1UfL5J-8G1d_1m8J2Yc19CB68Dawn6WDcA0txOr3tT_xldL69Mds5F_ir5H7zPkJS87R-jfzTfQqc5/s640/blogger-image-962534618.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Headed to clinic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR7iH7Xs3w9xLDJdL6WMP7EZSkMOMJgnxUvw9lW2zuGVjjzSvFv8P2W-RmXvLXS4Z78asidw7fsuQDnMtjWR5f-MUE4mdIxFH26NxWoDdLWIlhPv8LnW3zMoj8Ag39Y_P-xr6tS93dztG/s640/blogger-image--1373748424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR7iH7Xs3w9xLDJdL6WMP7EZSkMOMJgnxUvw9lW2zuGVjjzSvFv8P2W-RmXvLXS4Z78asidw7fsuQDnMtjWR5f-MUE4mdIxFH26NxWoDdLWIlhPv8LnW3zMoj8Ag39Y_P-xr6tS93dztG/s640/blogger-image--1373748424.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-30818144694578887882013-08-03T19:21:00.003-07:002013-08-14T06:54:00.872-07:00Taking off the Training Wheels<div>We got a "pass" to go HOME this past weekend - and it was wonderful! I got to see Darby riding her bike (without training wheels), got to see the chickens dogs & cat, got to breathe in some good country air and eat some fresh peas & cornbread. I also got to hug my Momma's neck.</div><div><br></div><div>It was a bitter sweet trip...The world lost an amazing man this past week. Mom's brother and my beloved Uncle Willie saw his earthly life come to a close and began his new life in Sweet Beulah Land. He is high stepping, standing tall and I am sure the crowds are already lined up to hear his stories wherever he is "holding court". He believed in working hard and playing hard. His smile was contagous. He never met a stranger. His advice was second to none and his heart was as big as Texas. With him joining my Daddy in heaven, the allure of heaven got a whole lot sweeter. I'll miss you Uncle Willie. </div><div><br></div><div>Monday we met with Dr. Cass, the surgeon who did the Fundoplication & hernia repair before Parson's lung transplant. A recent pH probe test showed that Par was still having significant reflux (especially when she is laying down). Dr. Mallory thinks the surgery could help with her reflux & protect her new lungs from reflux. She had an upper GI last week that looked ok and didn't show any reflux. Dr. Cass was not in a rush to repeat the surgery when weighing the risks. He was going to consult with Dr. Mallory and they would determine whether Par would benefit from a repeat of the surgery at a later date. </div><div><br></div><div>Parson is doing better everyday. She finally gritted through the last of drug withdrawals and her smiles are back. (Whew - I survived too - drug withdrawals are NO JOKE - don't ever let anyone tell you any different!). <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She is beginning to vocalize again, beginning to show interest in toys, sleeping better at night, putting her feet in her mouth again, and is rolling over and putting weight on her arms. All of those things are small steps toward catching up on some developmental milestones she missed while she was so sick. To</span> top it all off, every tooth has a new neighbor moving in on each side - a whole mouth full of teeth coming in at one time. She is such a good sport - I know she has felt like junk but she is such a good sport in spite of it all. A real life lesson in true grit. </div><div><br></div><div>I am so thankful for better days. It sure is fun to take off the training wheels & make a little trip home. </div><div><br></div><div>Below are a few recent pics ....</div><div><br></div><div>Darby let Parson wear her headband...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv464kgidABXnXouYW24E6IAjUR5Y792amq6Jl0qVZTQx1w8yqrbmGCpyUedLKRsCHoGC-JcmByrl0j4Eplz3kU_z4F5S7Hlnn6glwSD2UwusQJcJqnmc4xfN3Zqj8FQPruEeRWvI8yYj/s640/blogger-image--71114872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv464kgidABXnXouYW24E6IAjUR5Y792amq6Jl0qVZTQx1w8yqrbmGCpyUedLKRsCHoGC-JcmByrl0j4Eplz3kU_z4F5S7Hlnn6glwSD2UwusQJcJqnmc4xfN3Zqj8FQPruEeRWvI8yYj/s640/blogger-image--71114872.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And they were swinging...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2OJKVBcebxu8x3puI6vROkjkoVaT7-3lYteYcRk-afRNkvaihaoTxnVTzUP3KDttHI5maXyMSktSzwRtCJlIuSxtPEUFpmtzD-nx16zFSRrwsnSVWwVGSkGVyMO1_d9HlEWMnaQy-hy7/s640/blogger-image-946997972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2OJKVBcebxu8x3puI6vROkjkoVaT7-3lYteYcRk-afRNkvaihaoTxnVTzUP3KDttHI5maXyMSktSzwRtCJlIuSxtPEUFpmtzD-nx16zFSRrwsnSVWwVGSkGVyMO1_d9HlEWMnaQy-hy7/s640/blogger-image-946997972.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think she likes it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQvT5GGft2fpIJJgMzqo2b0CvTDZv3lxa-QsPWbH4yDZHivVP3Pt_AdhnsRp2t03OS80zV9tvoBnNuWOe8ZoMLv7QHH5AIHoQf1dM_FavE4MWZKyVbzRZ0199U1l0dFRzAtf0KVjn56Je/s640/blogger-image-2128553025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQvT5GGft2fpIJJgMzqo2b0CvTDZv3lxa-QsPWbH4yDZHivVP3Pt_AdhnsRp2t03OS80zV9tvoBnNuWOe8ZoMLv7QHH5AIHoQf1dM_FavE4MWZKyVbzRZ0199U1l0dFRzAtf0KVjn56Je/s640/blogger-image-2128553025.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mmmmm tasty toes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsa-OGjvsifMQ9Nk4xYFYw5KQOgFiz0tbaGEPnWJCTnStePE7O4c05FFI2UwKyDbTUKbjKutlGtxOOEnHrnVP0EI8CPxeHYkGAph7fMXkj-jhe793gpXsrEKWZ0Un63VIVfCAYNeO3ZSC/s640/blogger-image-490880553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsa-OGjvsifMQ9Nk4xYFYw5KQOgFiz0tbaGEPnWJCTnStePE7O4c05FFI2UwKyDbTUKbjKutlGtxOOEnHrnVP0EI8CPxeHYkGAph7fMXkj-jhe793gpXsrEKWZ0Un63VIVfCAYNeO3ZSC/s640/blogger-image-490880553.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Look out - Darby has a really, really loose front tooth...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqNH6JVWpoceL-JHx6ETDtt-VImvYjErbZkUftGU7s0DIFCoXxUTW2LI-FCu4O8RqWvspkaXdB7I6Bg-vVNfp-olR6zbO2iSD4eAT1w4QLYtydNOL3ujNzd4PTxAg6xpkHbM8jOuJR0zo/s640/blogger-image-207814953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqNH6JVWpoceL-JHx6ETDtt-VImvYjErbZkUftGU7s0DIFCoXxUTW2LI-FCu4O8RqWvspkaXdB7I6Bg-vVNfp-olR6zbO2iSD4eAT1w4QLYtydNOL3ujNzd4PTxAg6xpkHbM8jOuJR0zo/s640/blogger-image-207814953.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My new snaffle tooth...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILMF9kFyw9_qdOMpMqjsG_HLlxvyXwapGjq9gCe6XRDr1vhRxcmvpWNN97gTrBc3eKwaMS5K-iJvamSFPzsMnY3V7Na6O7U6pWQPPRyXwPJQgVmZIZHjNpt4AkyIngs5hydieUJF78PEs/s640/blogger-image-888609163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILMF9kFyw9_qdOMpMqjsG_HLlxvyXwapGjq9gCe6XRDr1vhRxcmvpWNN97gTrBc3eKwaMS5K-iJvamSFPzsMnY3V7Na6O7U6pWQPPRyXwPJQgVmZIZHjNpt4AkyIngs5hydieUJF78PEs/s640/blogger-image-888609163.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mule riding with Daddy is pretty fun...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A3aC499_LxWZ_N0tnIVelLEUVdFFR6qWchXMFv31gj8F6BFQXuoJm_3PxAGghtzNWHg3Sy2GYjWA9LwiuSLiepdIKQmTBxY1IJApuTtrcp5YCKe9a5aWalMOSMnpgpaZkbi1GEBWDQts/s640/blogger-image--651289013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A3aC499_LxWZ_N0tnIVelLEUVdFFR6qWchXMFv31gj8F6BFQXuoJm_3PxAGghtzNWHg3Sy2GYjWA9LwiuSLiepdIKQmTBxY1IJApuTtrcp5YCKe9a5aWalMOSMnpgpaZkbi1GEBWDQts/s640/blogger-image--651289013.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Look Mom, I am on my belly! This is a really cool polka dot quilt my Gee Gee made me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECUTYGWv91Swb5mIvGHgX3MXe_8n8M6m-Pq91oV8SjblqrIPazcYbJMC_5noSqYf4nxvUWxej5rrebVwU2Vqr1A3R4wqLhUN797M8AZwo5Rr04sCigComCeU0BuRaVb_0XVcNRD5ck3z7/s640/blogger-image--549191641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECUTYGWv91Swb5mIvGHgX3MXe_8n8M6m-Pq91oV8SjblqrIPazcYbJMC_5noSqYf4nxvUWxej5rrebVwU2Vqr1A3R4wqLhUN797M8AZwo5Rr04sCigComCeU0BuRaVb_0XVcNRD5ck3z7/s640/blogger-image--549191641.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just love this pic of Darby - (thanks Dorothy.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBE8PfK4uLK57R8QI_1sLai-B0lW2xYB-GIJCJvSOiapBiwEWwxKF6iZmGv1aMYJd2ZnJZecRcJBZEPTPupQU2YSX8j1c2ogYppD2b9wg48cS8ub8GIkoBYvsbg4kgWOA_-zh7PtBQo86s/s640/blogger-image--16508824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBE8PfK4uLK57R8QI_1sLai-B0lW2xYB-GIJCJvSOiapBiwEWwxKF6iZmGv1aMYJd2ZnJZecRcJBZEPTPupQU2YSX8j1c2ogYppD2b9wg48cS8ub8GIkoBYvsbg4kgWOA_-zh7PtBQo86s/s640/blogger-image--16508824.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-86136001309848978012013-07-09T20:27:00.001-07:002013-07-17T04:21:56.236-07:00The Fog, Slobber, The Circus & Being GladAfter discharge from the hospital - it has been a busy two weeks. Here are the highlights...<div><br></div><div>I have been settling into my new routine as "Primary Medicine Giver". We have a two part approach - the required transplant Meds and the weaning Meds/narcotics (which we have a complex weaning schedule for). Within the first day or so, <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I knew something wasn't right and called her doctors. We</span> had a major medicine "mix up" where one of her meds (methadone) was dispensed at twice the strength it should have been. As a result, <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Parson slept through TWO different birthday parties and the majority of the first week home. I am pleased to report that she finally woke up and came out of the FOG. It</span> took about a week to get her to wake up & return to smiles, but now she even giggles out loud for Darby. </div><div><br></div><div>We still have about 2-3 more weeks until she is completely weaned from the methadone, Ativan & clonidine, but we are working to slowly get rid of those meds. Withdrawal is a BIG concern still, as the last small amounts are often hardest to shake for little "junkies" - that have been habituated for such a long period like Parson. This process brings new meaning to the term fussy baby. Bless her heart- she is such a little trooper.</div><div><div><br></div><div>We spend a great deal of our time at Texas Children's. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She has bloodwork and clinic appointments twice a week and </span>we have also spent quite a bit of time getting medicines straight with her doctors, nurses and the pharmacist. In addition to the clinic schedule, she has also had both physical therapy and occupational therapy. Both therapies will help to make up for some lost time due to her severe illness and developmental delay. The OT noted in her evaluation that she charted Parson as a "strong 7 month old". All of her therapists are very encouraged that she is already gaining strength and showing improvement. </div><div><br></div><div>After discharge, she developed a weird situation where she has not been swallowing anything - not even drool. This is very concerning for us, but also a HUGE mess. We feel like it is related to her medicines as she is producing copious amounts of drool - I mean MAJOR amounts of cold, wet, thick slobber. (Sorry, I know that is TMI for some of you.) Her doctors are conducting various tests to determine what is causing the issue. She is scheduled for a swallow study tomorrow to check things out. Speech therapy may be added to our repertoire depending on the findings of the study. </div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday she had a bronchoscope where they sedated her (term used lightly as they used twice the normal amount of sedatives and she still wasnt "out") and went down to check out her new lungs. They also took biopsy samples and used a "wash" or lavage. Everything looked great and took place with no problems. Her lung tissues appeared very alive & no signs of rejection - Thank you Jesus. They also took a quick look at her esophagus because of the swallowing issue, but nothing in particular was noted. During the procedure, they placed an impedance probe that will be left in place for 24 hours. This will record any amount of reflux that she may be having. She is not a big fan of the tube in her nose going down her throat. It is making her gag more than usual. And she has been gagging quite a bit as a result of the not swallowing issue. </div><div><br></div><div>We have begun to settle into our life as a little family once again. We have a little, one bedroom apartment (that Darby says is HUGE!) that we pay a daily rate on to the fine folks at Kingwood Church of Christ. We got the apartment through the apartment ministries program. Our housing situation is another great example of Plan B. Our original plans were to go to The Ronald McDonald House, but it was full - (No room in the Inn). The apartment we have is close to the hospital, has tons of sidewalks for us to stroll & two swimming pools. I sure am glad we are comfortable in Plan B and trusted God to take care of our lodging too -- <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">another great testimony of a fishes and loaves situation for us. He always has a much greater plan than we can ever imagine. Can I tell you about God's faithfulness again? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>"It is The Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:8</i></span></div><div><br></div><div>I promise that I haven't intentionally left you guys hanging without updates and pictures. We have been really, really busy shuttling back & forth to the hospital for appointments. Parson also has quite a mixed up routine/sleep schedule after being in the hospital for 5 months. Her nights & days are really mixed up - that is why I am writing this blog at 4:30am (while she fusses & talks in the background -guess she is dictating to me exactly what to report.) </div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The highlight of this past weekend was taking Darby across the street to Reliant Stadium to The Ringling Bros & Barnum Bailey Circus. Wow! We had a ball! Parson stayed back at the at apartment with Gee Gee and evidently protested the whole time. </span></div></div><div><br></div><div>Whew. I am still amazed that we are where we are - I pinch myself quite often. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Life is so very precious. He has made me glad</span>. Thanks for taking this journey with us - it is nicer because you are here with us. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your</span> prayers and faithfulness have given strength to us when we have needed it most. </div><div> </div><div><i>"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love." - Zephaniah 3:17. </i></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The Birthday Girl</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NJ0bY2jKYW8FUyAPje_vnLNBuqm-bEt9wxrETxXOsZlvn-fS_GD2z8djb23ypYqgm-VXaNv0zT_oJJ3U9iY6fFZc-BeqXgyplLLwGCLfiKo-pc0zdq1NJWK8LOU0PViAAa-TU9oXkruO/s640/blogger-image-1194933883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NJ0bY2jKYW8FUyAPje_vnLNBuqm-bEt9wxrETxXOsZlvn-fS_GD2z8djb23ypYqgm-VXaNv0zT_oJJ3U9iY6fFZc-BeqXgyplLLwGCLfiKo-pc0zdq1NJWK8LOU0PViAAa-TU9oXkruO/s640/blogger-image-1194933883.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Discharge Day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUIGv6VFpepc6rkRQcrw0UwQflBPrfy4kK1iBzbdc0ZN1ed9igPmwf4BHp7IOfDh4so-UcPQqneP9pOITcPVssLySHJ0LQq3TGRih6MXi2dTQlB6UcYCXRGVz378qVVkTB4yVEHkaYF0A/s640/blogger-image-1881351672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUIGv6VFpepc6rkRQcrw0UwQflBPrfy4kK1iBzbdc0ZN1ed9igPmwf4BHp7IOfDh4so-UcPQqneP9pOITcPVssLySHJ0LQq3TGRih6MXi2dTQlB6UcYCXRGVz378qVVkTB4yVEHkaYF0A/s640/blogger-image-1881351672.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cake Smash</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RRGwtevnwy1aprQb8BuhcipT7b4RtQDwXYP6u9ZR9oSzzWlXyFxmKWJmGfByY79YpoCsFl5pdaY17YPk0m9MwuN9DvagNaiB18yy5MsIUJHcd34LXuHfFawTP5_2y-oGn-8TKWxDFr72/s640/blogger-image--1888925653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RRGwtevnwy1aprQb8BuhcipT7b4RtQDwXYP6u9ZR9oSzzWlXyFxmKWJmGfByY79YpoCsFl5pdaY17YPk0m9MwuN9DvagNaiB18yy5MsIUJHcd34LXuHfFawTP5_2y-oGn-8TKWxDFr72/s640/blogger-image--1888925653.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On a stroll </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwtOy3hPKPYkuPcgx20WjwyhtWGAIDVpe0lKpdRyelpHh1yPCjULyp9KwXy6wzK7qzFzofLNG3J4jbGgWsOfbmyEDKiyK3I_gNWWwTFogwie2teGBs1nUzUFfkMR4DfhVckOWrcC2fpi4/s640/blogger-image--1056167345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwtOy3hPKPYkuPcgx20WjwyhtWGAIDVpe0lKpdRyelpHh1yPCjULyp9KwXy6wzK7qzFzofLNG3J4jbGgWsOfbmyEDKiyK3I_gNWWwTFogwie2teGBs1nUzUFfkMR4DfhVckOWrcC2fpi4/s640/blogger-image--1056167345.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sisters - together again</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTS588S_mmn5HkLpz5pIyKQ0Ve7KYXl6nNBYTIemgOTYJc4mZ1FqagZ20W4yuf5ZMP0wf6F18G8pJUjAGeAn9aHQ8rN82aZ6KduumNt0ltAch_WI2FeiSIodI5NiMTYw7PAWwlt4Q0jWch/s640/blogger-image--2099787925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTS588S_mmn5HkLpz5pIyKQ0Ve7KYXl6nNBYTIemgOTYJc4mZ1FqagZ20W4yuf5ZMP0wf6F18G8pJUjAGeAn9aHQ8rN82aZ6KduumNt0ltAch_WI2FeiSIodI5NiMTYw7PAWwlt4Q0jWch/s640/blogger-image--2099787925.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hey friends - need a ride?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrahtycmkiQo9PBMiFwMoxy0__yRGpmMQUrIn-Nt_lmFMXfmeP8rVEFhJBv_uL2mb8wp_ITnYqIR1sHBdN0LHs-ZIAotrIjozHO1FkF9MCo8ogc36XK7SDHT0cPvMHU9JnC6D5DqNMoWU/s640/blogger-image--531165402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrahtycmkiQo9PBMiFwMoxy0__yRGpmMQUrIn-Nt_lmFMXfmeP8rVEFhJBv_uL2mb8wp_ITnYqIR1sHBdN0LHs-ZIAotrIjozHO1FkF9MCo8ogc36XK7SDHT0cPvMHU9JnC6D5DqNMoWU/s640/blogger-image--531165402.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another stroll</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D0tEyXCtXFHprk1JzYIdEKPcys54M9N2Wxo6N50E8NiCb12jaEieUBs8Kci2Rp1Tn3gKJwQ_dCHne4aUm53SCjQwd5QJ236HqnNN8jFNR86jDBfjeGHxHkY8moQ0C_kxfjgZJR10z3q4/s640/blogger-image--991994678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D0tEyXCtXFHprk1JzYIdEKPcys54M9N2Wxo6N50E8NiCb12jaEieUBs8Kci2Rp1Tn3gKJwQ_dCHne4aUm53SCjQwd5QJ236HqnNN8jFNR86jDBfjeGHxHkY8moQ0C_kxfjgZJR10z3q4/s640/blogger-image--991994678.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Family</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P9T22SBGRMa_1kUVmtLXcpBQ7h-fK2BP0mzqy5C3LLaXZvxXFPVGHU6JJxrnlHDmyIBvkH2FrIJNx8Ry2ioNfCK5aAF6A_bm1m5v_tVDiThZxlgV2gI4XSW3pjD4f070MvndeOSxCpFk/s640/blogger-image-276301770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P9T22SBGRMa_1kUVmtLXcpBQ7h-fK2BP0mzqy5C3LLaXZvxXFPVGHU6JJxrnlHDmyIBvkH2FrIJNx8Ry2ioNfCK5aAF6A_bm1m5v_tVDiThZxlgV2gI4XSW3pjD4f070MvndeOSxCpFk/s640/blogger-image-276301770.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At clinic, waiting my turn. This girl really ROCKS the mask and aren't those the cutest scars you have ever seen?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIolbXJRfrr8FOpWSxKfZh8mLH5FxYIFQmkvbQApJWPOznemayXvONkxR431sExY9FfaDLxSKVIeIRs6E_3I8QRNTyK2TtM9WvoW_ZF0yVLrGn5347swDoD-Nr7F0clVRFNUA0x1QQUW0a/s640/blogger-image-225586385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIolbXJRfrr8FOpWSxKfZh8mLH5FxYIFQmkvbQApJWPOznemayXvONkxR431sExY9FfaDLxSKVIeIRs6E_3I8QRNTyK2TtM9WvoW_ZF0yVLrGn5347swDoD-Nr7F0clVRFNUA0x1QQUW0a/s640/blogger-image-225586385.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Circus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS29HhmOS3zsUoQR2NEGyX9O_97yY7xT3PsZIuBpXtUujrePZ5lgyql3G7v8LuFymURtOLcjITOLUBNl_ccg2rTnAy5wpnFtOQu0IBHnBnmbBHvlqOv5DS6qrocPiaWTtVpXICx6lO-mQ/s640/blogger-image-730475532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS29HhmOS3zsUoQR2NEGyX9O_97yY7xT3PsZIuBpXtUujrePZ5lgyql3G7v8LuFymURtOLcjITOLUBNl_ccg2rTnAy5wpnFtOQu0IBHnBnmbBHvlqOv5DS6qrocPiaWTtVpXICx6lO-mQ/s640/blogger-image-730475532.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tigers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE1FEbrcBfm53KKk7bbNMM7_WZO79-zxhMdluDziVnxb2MIwD0sJj7DcCK4wiqX0DTOL_JRpXaKdHCX6pk5D0m0CBq5Manu2mQroVwJ37JJCmYnEWEjArQpt26m0UmdpzFYJnmmg3KRPB/s640/blogger-image-719385126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE1FEbrcBfm53KKk7bbNMM7_WZO79-zxhMdluDziVnxb2MIwD0sJj7DcCK4wiqX0DTOL_JRpXaKdHCX6pk5D0m0CBq5Manu2mQroVwJ37JJCmYnEWEjArQpt26m0UmdpzFYJnmmg3KRPB/s640/blogger-image-719385126.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elephants...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacMtysAeU6wWs1ZN8UfFRCrsP1SFY-CMkWdQcI1mD2JxZbsdi0c2Lh83wQaV9bGXiEmnkvZproQzdGQ0br0edhRGxnGkzHFNQPisnelp0HFDUydlNZOQs5XL1vc2QozPtubFcFdutGaxk/s640/blogger-image-1948501142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacMtysAeU6wWs1ZN8UfFRCrsP1SFY-CMkWdQcI1mD2JxZbsdi0c2Lh83wQaV9bGXiEmnkvZproQzdGQ0br0edhRGxnGkzHFNQPisnelp0HFDUydlNZOQs5XL1vc2QozPtubFcFdutGaxk/s640/blogger-image-1948501142.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two thumbs up for the Circus! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnMgQS33Y5NsaQUMvKFj7PmRAmeX7WpUAcGqetAHHqONZD0d8cgaZfnhtuU7HdvMfhfuMXSaXBZDImZ_73HyROH1ig_NmtdVETAwTM34rcbyS6mMEbKKkyvvB6At9prkSWSRPev9Q8UEP/s640/blogger-image--779099190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnMgQS33Y5NsaQUMvKFj7PmRAmeX7WpUAcGqetAHHqONZD0d8cgaZfnhtuU7HdvMfhfuMXSaXBZDImZ_73HyROH1ig_NmtdVETAwTM34rcbyS6mMEbKKkyvvB6At9prkSWSRPev9Q8UEP/s640/blogger-image--779099190.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-84969921850745314252013-06-24T19:54:00.001-07:002013-07-03T11:46:55.220-07:00One Year<div>July 3, 2013</div><div><br></div><div>As I sit here at Texas Children's Hospital waiting for discharge orders & paperwork, I could not help but go back in time to one year ago today. Right about this time, I put on my make up and checked in to the hospital to welcome our 2nd little bundle of joy. Was it a boy? Was it a girl? We didn't care just as long as the baby was healthy and happy. Well, we got HAPPY! As for healthy, we quickly shifted gears to begin life smack dab in the middle of Plan B -- Who knew?!?!? It has been quite a year of blessings and here are a few things I have learned. </div><div> </div><div><b><i><u>A few things I have learned in one year...</u></i></b></div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">If you and your gallbladder get crossways - evict said gallbladder at the first chance you get.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Take a multivitamin everyday. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is no better hometown on earth than Jasper, Texas. You are full of amazing people with BIG hearts. I am SO proud to call you home. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You never get too old to need your Mom.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Music is good for the soul. Turn it up and sing loud. <br><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even at 40 years old, there is still a lot left to learn. </span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>Sisters know what you need - even when you don't know yourself. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Put on your boogie shoes & dance a little everyday. A dance party will make you smile everytime. I Promise. </span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>Talk less & listen more. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You never get too old for your faceto break out with zits. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Get some chickens - they are just plain fun to have around. </span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Be more honest - you owe it to yourself and others. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Life IS complicated at 6 years old. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>Country life beats the city life any day. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>You just can't beat a tall glass of sweet tea. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Trust your "mother" instinct. When you think something "just isn't right" - chances are you are right. Go with your gut. </div><div><br></div><div>It really is a small, small world. </div><div><br></div><div>I love him more after 16 years of marriage than I ever dreamed I would. Rodney, thanks for asking me to play ball 17 1/2 years ago. This life has been better than any world series game. </div><div><br></div><div>You never know how strong you are until you fight for your child's life. </div><div><br></div><div>Write down your thoughts - it is therapeutic. </div><div><br></div><div>Be real. Be transparent. Be present. </div><div><br></div><div>You can do things you never dreamed you can. </div><div><br></div><div>Cupcakes make everything better. </div><div><br></div><div>What cupcakes can't fix - good friends, good family, good nurses & good docs can fix. </div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes life stinks...so get a good deodorant. </div><div><br></div><div>There are amazing people in this world that you have not even met yet. </div><div><br></div><div>Wear comfortable shoes. Life is too short for blisters & bad feet. </div><div><br></div><div>Take good care of yourself - somebody is depending on you. </div><div><br></div><div>I have missed the river & the river has missed me. </div><div><br></div><div>Breathe deep. Really deep. Really often. It clears away the fog. </div><div><br></div><div>It is ok to be alone. </div><div><br></div><div>Don't be afraid to share what you are thinking, even if you can't find the right words. The person listening loves you and knows your heart even without the right words. </div><div><br></div><div>Recycle yourself - become an organ donor. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Friends and family will meet needs and show love to you in a way that no one else can. The oldest and dearest friends return when you need them the most (even if you have done a crappy job being a friend to them). </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Plan B is not always a bad thing. In fact, the "Plan B crash course" has taught me a lot over the past year. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">God is greater than any fear that you may have. When you think you don't have what it takes, He shows you that HE is more than enough. HE is able. Trust Him. </span></div></div><div><br></div><div>And last, but certainly not least ...</div><div><br></div><div>You can be happily at peace in the midst of Plan B. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span id="en-NKJV-18134" class="text Isa-26-3" style="position: relative; "><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top; display: block; position: absolute; left: -4.8em; ">3 </sup>You will keep him in perfect peace,</span><br><span class="text Isa-26-3" style="position: relative; ">Whose mind is stayed on You,</span><br><span class="text Isa-26-3" style="position: relative; ">Because he trusts in You. - Isaiah 26:3</span></b></i></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="text Isa-26-3" style="position: relative; "><b><i>Happy Birthday PARSON BLUE</i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="text Isa-26-3" style="position: relative; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr59tX7J5mrroR1HrtOtEsTN7YIOVbCWBmRrtc2yNcgZ61mKTTZe1JZI-7pNor15Oqx4_wb60NpXq_GyLDsi3JdhHaGHqKY82k-ov7BiqKewwdUJpja6rraSXaaYrCcnkwBCeiymgIhvP/s640/blogger-image--1788186431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr59tX7J5mrroR1HrtOtEsTN7YIOVbCWBmRrtc2yNcgZ61mKTTZe1JZI-7pNor15Oqx4_wb60NpXq_GyLDsi3JdhHaGHqKY82k-ov7BiqKewwdUJpja6rraSXaaYrCcnkwBCeiymgIhvP/s640/blogger-image--1788186431.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></span></span></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-69935542305813387342013-06-23T20:49:00.001-07:002013-06-23T21:00:26.069-07:00Super Sunday<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQm9t2KQZPKOZuke1Efiio7v5IgN_G65_Nkxe0bU-tGYA57gRWsJeXQ96OWW_SlIpk0dyWoD9GvEtA4Hl_Az8C1W5i2rZ5jVeLaWGNDm9TJxjoMktVf4G8OWdOUIfJILOi6SD1su6lBBP/s640/blogger-image--459802194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a great day today. A Super Sunday. Parson is still making steady progress. Sometimes pictures just capture a day better than words. </div></div><br></div><div>Big sister came to visit today and fed Parson some yummy carrots. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxES6Cjvulhpqu1Rex1fctArIcOYIw6PNX2zHAV7R5vINReABcRcZ02NLaAU9qzwpOM7Xt1wda4zh1Vt0mq1I0dV70cRdeYGiiFf_vAKzI39o-swxoysNa7Eia74YwHwmA0WfrGmbGFDir/s640/blogger-image-798090479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxES6Cjvulhpqu1Rex1fctArIcOYIw6PNX2zHAV7R5vINReABcRcZ02NLaAU9qzwpOM7Xt1wda4zh1Vt0mq1I0dV70cRdeYGiiFf_vAKzI39o-swxoysNa7Eia74YwHwmA0WfrGmbGFDir/s640/blogger-image-798090479.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Big sister is SO silly. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jbo4Rv1eFARAx9Tys54kECgKmpt55mP-JUZlMJbDqSuqtx3vyShBvVmihrJ31pC-bfc3nYkE-WsBQGisdj6R7l1aUIqBG8_aVZeuX1Ocj5Ww3HiyiMxNTjthCeOUKRED1YilRqk_dJFQ/s640/blogger-image-71241157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jbo4Rv1eFARAx9Tys54kECgKmpt55mP-JUZlMJbDqSuqtx3vyShBvVmihrJ31pC-bfc3nYkE-WsBQGisdj6R7l1aUIqBG8_aVZeuX1Ocj5Ww3HiyiMxNTjthCeOUKRED1YilRqk_dJFQ/s640/blogger-image-71241157.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Daddy's girl</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZTlJlYBcFqmB29Bh7U3_ApfZyKbJgJSOOvubVoffNbhyfLSgaDrrojpL8K4HXYWyynEonQA_CVwTqT2O0SQfpA1hW4O-xMyHhxmU_gFpG6pRC96mYendLiYYzzu1D7jurgGeaW4U1tw1/s640/blogger-image--756694025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZTlJlYBcFqmB29Bh7U3_ApfZyKbJgJSOOvubVoffNbhyfLSgaDrrojpL8K4HXYWyynEonQA_CVwTqT2O0SQfpA1hW4O-xMyHhxmU_gFpG6pRC96mYendLiYYzzu1D7jurgGeaW4U1tw1/s640/blogger-image--756694025.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Happy baby, Happy Mom, and Happy socks. </span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQm9t2KQZPKOZuke1Efiio7v5IgN_G65_Nkxe0bU-tGYA57gRWsJeXQ96OWW_SlIpk0dyWoD9GvEtA4Hl_Az8C1W5i2rZ5jVeLaWGNDm9TJxjoMktVf4G8OWdOUIfJILOi6SD1su6lBBP/s640/blogger-image--459802194.jpg"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Par & her nurse - Sheba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhfaGl32gjWEMLPjVQKf7PmwxmvEegKHdlZN5i0-eCcXlH8US9YDiRGODRZCbYReH24qwsU4OmcaKUTiaOKPVpVUg_A3qOCZGhJHevQzPuX2Na9R9H9NWWFIwkH9qUvxmyL7uNVjNF6Xo/s640/blogger-image-237849137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhfaGl32gjWEMLPjVQKf7PmwxmvEegKHdlZN5i0-eCcXlH8US9YDiRGODRZCbYReH24qwsU4OmcaKUTiaOKPVpVUg_A3qOCZGhJHevQzPuX2Na9R9H9NWWFIwkH9qUvxmyL7uNVjNF6Xo/s640/blogger-image-237849137.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cousin Tori & Darby excited to be headed on a mini-vacation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic13tRBVmorwsuBoKdiK1I_RdFT_lbDvsYHQlWURNrsXHA4CKQJupfVO4bIvWSGfmLT8pT6DRYI0T8fFmjFfex3irsrHmcJlZLSG44hpKmzc3nqDgv8wmGfk77YG8sLtm9ms2ftxfuhQ1b/s640/blogger-image-339268203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic13tRBVmorwsuBoKdiK1I_RdFT_lbDvsYHQlWURNrsXHA4CKQJupfVO4bIvWSGfmLT8pT6DRYI0T8fFmjFfex3irsrHmcJlZLSG44hpKmzc3nqDgv8wmGfk77YG8sLtm9ms2ftxfuhQ1b/s640/blogger-image-339268203.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Who ate a whole jar of baby food today? This girlie right here! Mmmmm pears. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhaKb1XGcp09JsW8sIMuy7N9ddPXZBLEfo2_m_-mgURGUQWnPHPCxb2yGgq-x2fijCd8J5UoBJXSb3go0UNCa9-Q-qIB5-LXEiYlHQYbk30BKhkkLb7ogQqURESF0j9SqPatdEZCo0ut_/s640/blogger-image-2037631736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhaKb1XGcp09JsW8sIMuy7N9ddPXZBLEfo2_m_-mgURGUQWnPHPCxb2yGgq-x2fijCd8J5UoBJXSb3go0UNCa9-Q-qIB5-LXEiYlHQYbk30BKhkkLb7ogQqURESF0j9SqPatdEZCo0ut_/s640/blogger-image-2037631736.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Par likes to "Keep Austin Weird."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjv13q0ffaHsAmO-qdyCeaCgj6B2LLr3VEkAYqVQ3R1tdEzgmKlylDl3RrFpHA9dJ809scnQl_cR4beHkPpBIEEQPGyrQ5oxckHFDeEKo63LPxT5u7Ev9L_zWqHbP_AhFzuDFehZKKeZ4/s640/blogger-image-443415303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjv13q0ffaHsAmO-qdyCeaCgj6B2LLr3VEkAYqVQ3R1tdEzgmKlylDl3RrFpHA9dJ809scnQl_cR4beHkPpBIEEQPGyrQ5oxckHFDeEKo63LPxT5u7Ev9L_zWqHbP_AhFzuDFehZKKeZ4/s640/blogger-image-443415303.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Par & her BFFnurses Adrienne & Nicole</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhX07dOXn201KU7YsZ7gcqOVBgSI9pgwABj4TYgCpEpw1fEI6OuiffCnlCQ_oO-PB7K11ilX0shjJdh4ifPgeLY-T52qOE6DcZ4VT6EWN8GAQrtdoM12R3H65te2F9OZCLYvRrk7jqEnR/s640/blogger-image--1719123636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhX07dOXn201KU7YsZ7gcqOVBgSI9pgwABj4TYgCpEpw1fEI6OuiffCnlCQ_oO-PB7K11ilX0shjJdh4ifPgeLY-T52qOE6DcZ4VT6EWN8GAQrtdoM12R3H65te2F9OZCLYvRrk7jqEnR/s640/blogger-image--1719123636.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Good night Austin, Tx. It has been fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsd-TsTVMNMtNn6ZuOaHRoS5w9QScXklV8kAoDqJ7ZG72w0pOdHa86pYO-aq3E_tYlNgZgGnupcb6qez5CBoS0jdqoQ31I2bQATTZP9MXf6eXx6r-EKraWdiQ4BriH2fwp7n-ImOEul_p/s640/blogger-image-1084015889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsd-TsTVMNMtNn6ZuOaHRoS5w9QScXklV8kAoDqJ7ZG72w0pOdHa86pYO-aq3E_tYlNgZgGnupcb6qez5CBoS0jdqoQ31I2bQATTZP9MXf6eXx6r-EKraWdiQ4BriH2fwp7n-ImOEul_p/s640/blogger-image-1084015889.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - I Thessalonians 5:18 </b></i></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-68242204797061135032013-06-22T11:07:00.001-07:002013-06-22T12:12:25.371-07:00Two weeks out.Two weeks out from getting new lungs and this kiddo is making great strides. <div><br></div><div>She has been on a trial for over 36 hours now where she is initiating all of her own breaths. They have weaned her oxygen support down to 25% (room air is 21%) and she is getting oh so close to weaning from oxygen and ventilator support. She has accepted all challenges with smiles so far. </div><div><br></div><div>Parson had a BIG day yesterday as doctors and occupational therapy agreed that she could try baby food for the first time. The trial was an amazing success and so far bananas, applesauce, peaches and carrots are Parson approved. </div><div><br></div><div>Mmmmm Carrots. A glorious mess. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sK5SVR8k50MpDaZ4J0-btwWBjezzjJVlUGoDOXkM-IUyhC39RJEMlUu88-i937vr7CrrjylVHzHqDcm7RICDCCPUNZZrSbjDnNtZVB91I1BEYXjAquzdMfPHWelR4bvuOFpyilARreIH/s640/blogger-image--872548392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sK5SVR8k50MpDaZ4J0-btwWBjezzjJVlUGoDOXkM-IUyhC39RJEMlUu88-i937vr7CrrjylVHzHqDcm7RICDCCPUNZZrSbjDnNtZVB91I1BEYXjAquzdMfPHWelR4bvuOFpyilARreIH/s640/blogger-image--872548392.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Doesn't every girl wear gold beads when trying baby food for the first time. Thanks for the food Cara & thanks for the beads Amanda. It was a great day to be Parson. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_IKgGNuIG0A95E4wH4Wz_kh1K3I0lJQFbWnkHhMoJ_s6AzzJO3_yN7csMUjJNZCpbbVPl1r7LY5P4M-wMvJP3-925ERu5ayUfPzbMV-NTwsiINzepgQn0V-rz2Qm0s6N4VeFoORCzfV3/s640/blogger-image-381772817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_IKgGNuIG0A95E4wH4Wz_kh1K3I0lJQFbWnkHhMoJ_s6AzzJO3_yN7csMUjJNZCpbbVPl1r7LY5P4M-wMvJP3-925ERu5ayUfPzbMV-NTwsiINzepgQn0V-rz2Qm0s6N4VeFoORCzfV3/s640/blogger-image-381772817.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As the doctors rounded this morning, I asked them to repeat a phrase that just never gets old "Parson is an 11 month old female with Filamin A deficiency that is status POST TRANSPLANT." It is the "status post transplant" that gets me every time. Because for so many months of rounds before it had been "awaiting transplant." What a difference two weeks makes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"<i>Rejoice in The Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"- Philippians 4:4-6 </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Because of the amazing gift of our donor, Parson is breathing easy and so is her Mommy. Patience has never been my forte' but I gotta give full credit where it is due. I wasn't patient in the flesh - not one bit - it was only possible through prayer and the presence of God in my life. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now don't get me wrong, I will never forget the long nights waiting and watching as Par struggled to breathe. Thanks</span> to Him, He allowed me to get pretty good at the patience thing. I have experienced peace like no other - only from Him. Now that we are on the other side "post transplant", I have enjoyed a different peace. The peace of progress. The peace of meeting new milestones daily. The peace of a happy baby that can now breathe. These last two weeks POST TRANSPLANT have been, oh so sweet and peaceful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - John: 14:27</i></div><div><br></div><div>My other little warrior, Darby, survived sight words & kindergarten and is enjoying her first real summer. She hasn't slowed down yet and has traded in her school clothes for a bathing suit. She is most happy underwater. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Darby gives a thumbs up to summer </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEbRW6Bcm5lDEv-ZsgVXVNnUf1cCiq3xn5sqJuMRHjW_hiQy-nuxbs2m5B39qOfaXo-0q1jqoR40qd0yv3KK9QmVJsaWoDi1d_nwmJSSCpAYMUPPdOfC0A85A3JIlF78jeA5X8f9H2huC/s640/blogger-image--1405059483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEbRW6Bcm5lDEv-ZsgVXVNnUf1cCiq3xn5sqJuMRHjW_hiQy-nuxbs2m5B39qOfaXo-0q1jqoR40qd0yv3KK9QmVJsaWoDi1d_nwmJSSCpAYMUPPdOfC0A85A3JIlF78jeA5X8f9H2huC/s640/blogger-image--1405059483.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div> </div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Another glorious mess. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTzIKGqKmbiFsVQi54MsxyuuQqEVA3uxJXLzZlHU5aFiYbmfwOkeY2pSGjTMcFKuF6kL_b2B1PYO_z1nsr-5Ct74pDXjLk20nZFNkeQrvMQ1kM7gY3RuwDu1pUJ0egjoEonwYUkoeKSrl/s640/blogger-image--244332073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTzIKGqKmbiFsVQi54MsxyuuQqEVA3uxJXLzZlHU5aFiYbmfwOkeY2pSGjTMcFKuF6kL_b2B1PYO_z1nsr-5Ct74pDXjLk20nZFNkeQrvMQ1kM7gY3RuwDu1pUJ0egjoEonwYUkoeKSrl/s640/blogger-image--244332073.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Darby & O'Riley are loving summer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFTXbf2BjUheYO4l9LhOPmPn8WqlZcGPWQMJSsym62jvhbNc5T5Sy1jnA8KTA4FPVMzmnMbmMtJBEBK7JvUuhKIsXN76c6Lydw1H-stiVn4zWv5PDKWX2j1Yugf7pnrjFNtSsGozb3DDC/s640/blogger-image-809068982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFTXbf2BjUheYO4l9LhOPmPn8WqlZcGPWQMJSsym62jvhbNc5T5Sy1jnA8KTA4FPVMzmnMbmMtJBEBK7JvUuhKIsXN76c6Lydw1H-stiVn4zWv5PDKWX2j1Yugf7pnrjFNtSsGozb3DDC/s640/blogger-image-809068982.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Par's buddy, John the firefighter, sent her this cute onesie and she is repping for the Houston Fire Department today. We love those brave men in uniform. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIcm4NlvtFeIeJj_4sx4b3Qi9nzMzX6cpuu0luRdn0YSWzi70wT8eU8w-vCT3Q4dcqB3nZs-OZtcr8MatZHzDx35MTi1kvo_QzXH09rth-lOEuw7D8z0DXIddNe_jdwq9p5G0EBy2XUnE/s640/blogger-image--2132452823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIcm4NlvtFeIeJj_4sx4b3Qi9nzMzX6cpuu0luRdn0YSWzi70wT8eU8w-vCT3Q4dcqB3nZs-OZtcr8MatZHzDx35MTi1kvo_QzXH09rth-lOEuw7D8z0DXIddNe_jdwq9p5G0EBy2XUnE/s640/blogger-image--2132452823.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Get ready Peachtree, we will be bringing our "Peace Love and Parson Blue" show on the road soon. Peace out! </span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-3853213201302221672013-06-20T08:03:00.001-07:002013-06-20T19:39:08.689-07:00The Little EngineI think I can. I think I can. I think I can. <div><br></div><div>This little engine CAN! It is crazy how fast Parson is progressing and you gotta know that this Momma could get used to days like this. </div><div><br></div><div>She slept all through the night last night. Can I get an Amen? (Maybe these new lungs have gotten her out of her newborn sleeping habits!) Woohoo. At 8 this morning, the team deflated her trach cuff and she is able to make sounds again. They also started her on a cpap trial and the little fierce one made it 12 HOURS. She did all the work breathing on her own. As I write this, she is snoring up a storm and I am enjoying the sweet sound of her little voice - (even if it is snoring).</div><div><br></div><div>If all goes well, the plan is to decannulate (remove the trach) next week. Then possibly discharge sometime the following week. We will remain here in Houston until the end of July for sure. During that time, we will move to the Ronald McDonald house just a few blocks away from Texas Children's. I absolutely cannot believe we are talking about going home. Can I get another AMEN? </div><div><br></div><div>This is my "Auntie Super Sheena". She is the respiratory therapist that came to my rescue in the ER back on the night of Sept 27. She is a baby whisperer. Me and Sheena go way back. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNwHlgWxnNXfbKtwIsmBWmdoElkjdwWPKibGrvp9jOHhpO7glABFHqrW2i_I7H1qHhsaoIiWYLGxyvXvMX7ngQAYHlFg-rKX15sBBIJQgxLD5QpzA9Hfx4u88uENW3pyW7XqYgsnPIeUg/s640/blogger-image--258404123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNwHlgWxnNXfbKtwIsmBWmdoElkjdwWPKibGrvp9jOHhpO7glABFHqrW2i_I7H1qHhsaoIiWYLGxyvXvMX7ngQAYHlFg-rKX15sBBIJQgxLD5QpzA9Hfx4u88uENW3pyW7XqYgsnPIeUg/s640/blogger-image--258404123.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This is Erin, the transplant coordinator who was "on call" and literally worked night & day to get my new lungs. Erin, you did a GREAT job! We love you - best wishes on your new journey. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1K5nt_SmZXns4nHHo2kmTC5eINX4wznc2rjgAdWKyOnKalrIp5D_w0OxX19TSr8oLH0bueq3ozfvOuTUc8W-ELUUQmRS8exD42zNUrcF9T2JW29CYqkgx0yUr8zVyah-xymqijkRAurTP/s640/blogger-image--1104497670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1K5nt_SmZXns4nHHo2kmTC5eINX4wznc2rjgAdWKyOnKalrIp5D_w0OxX19TSr8oLH0bueq3ozfvOuTUc8W-ELUUQmRS8exD42zNUrcF9T2JW29CYqkgx0yUr8zVyah-xymqijkRAurTP/s640/blogger-image--1104497670.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My GeeGee came to see me today and I had lots of smiles and even sang along with her silly songs. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjZFIHoETznaEwwA0CnHUvWsH12RVVhRumqj9Gkeopyttmwvtui7U12me-w12tNyevFO3KWW3PDQbGZJMAFRbdFEkiYzQFh_Z3LUOzaF8Ibp18m8gmCiPNLyfP4LIXxcpVYeIPcr5I6rk/s640/blogger-image-26993330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjZFIHoETznaEwwA0CnHUvWsH12RVVhRumqj9Gkeopyttmwvtui7U12me-w12tNyevFO3KWW3PDQbGZJMAFRbdFEkiYzQFh_Z3LUOzaF8Ibp18m8gmCiPNLyfP4LIXxcpVYeIPcr5I6rk/s640/blogger-image-26993330.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>It is bedtime for me -- I am going to turn in early so that I can rest up to keep up tomorrow. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-3028223906918852742013-06-18T13:41:00.001-07:002013-06-18T18:19:13.099-07:00Broken Record<div>I sound like a broken record, but you all must indulge me. I gotta say it again -- Parson is doing GREAT! <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She is </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">smiling non stop & kicking her feet non stop too. I just cannot believe how quick she has improved. She feels SO SO much better. I have a feeling the fierce one is going to be making up for lost time very soon. (I am about to be really busy and I can't wait! )</span></div><div><br></div>Parson had a bronchoscopy this morning where the physicians send a teeny tiny camera <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">down into</span> her lungs to check on things. It was very cool to see -Everything looked GREAT. The new lungs are healing well and all pink & healthy looking. Yes! We have one little hiccup - Her PICC line that is used for medicine infusion & blood draws is not working properly, so we will address that tomorrow when she can get on the schedule to go downstairs and have it rewired or replaced.<div><div><br></div><div>It was moving day today. Late this afternoon, we took a field trip back upstairs to PCU (progressive care) to reunite with our old friends. We were so sad to leave our PICU family, but very excited that things have improved to the point for us to make the move. I have got the cutest roommate around since I get to room-in with Parson. Oh, happy day- Momma also gets my own bathroom and shower. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank you so much for the prayers that have carried us thus far. God has been so faithful day in and day out. Please add a prayer that Parson's mom will be able to keep up with her. :) </div><div><br></div><div><i>"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." </i>- Jeremiah 31:3</div><div><br></div><div>Working on some new teeth</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoXr93sYk5NnKIa1tK0u57IDTqLEiAdR1pUo5EMsUxMPAmhCK4_cYksGk7BnHmKaaWw1kNI6oelyM447W-Pbs1-GSqn5HdjHt2QwXsyURB7zubbgebIiu4A17S5WKUgUTOcEjvwHID1yo/s640/blogger-image-600161473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoXr93sYk5NnKIa1tK0u57IDTqLEiAdR1pUo5EMsUxMPAmhCK4_cYksGk7BnHmKaaWw1kNI6oelyM447W-Pbs1-GSqn5HdjHt2QwXsyURB7zubbgebIiu4A17S5WKUgUTOcEjvwHID1yo/s640/blogger-image-600161473.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Sitting up like a BIG girl (with assistance)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tp_I7f33R097OvyyudmZjsN3G9eENWf2-CmXVnvsJOHZ_Qgl_R2BDAsMld6xigl41HHf2hjyuW3dyBJkoE82PjxDpaiIJ2EXwSdd5cfouAIb0KJKAB2mDoVEXEVVFL8If-jXp3wbaqNU/s640/blogger-image--1869091143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tp_I7f33R097OvyyudmZjsN3G9eENWf2-CmXVnvsJOHZ_Qgl_R2BDAsMld6xigl41HHf2hjyuW3dyBJkoE82PjxDpaiIJ2EXwSdd5cfouAIb0KJKAB2mDoVEXEVVFL8If-jXp3wbaqNU/s640/blogger-image--1869091143.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Parson loves it when Ola (respiratory therapist) brings his song & dance show to town. She is crazy about him. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYBudFhbc_M4zsb1BNvDbpGhqOCOahm8BwU4qWTlBWWF9A6krBZo87DkfqpVuToV-i_w_ueH9_MYBH5n9Egl8PzXF-LdBmLexr9nZUID0IVxIPghAMcVcWHx_Kyo4Fdds6r_PiErsORlE/s640/blogger-image-82211562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYBudFhbc_M4zsb1BNvDbpGhqOCOahm8BwU4qWTlBWWF9A6krBZo87DkfqpVuToV-i_w_ueH9_MYBH5n9Egl8PzXF-LdBmLexr9nZUID0IVxIPghAMcVcWHx_Kyo4Fdds6r_PiErsORlE/s640/blogger-image-82211562.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Darby with Parson's "medicine bouquet"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwTEeoPS-wK56Qs47Qk0gh2MeaDnYLlEiBDX-sq-1VibbZsdlTJfHwe1IJ58FJ64ghiL0ImpD-kMfWm6wrYbQqR1CUSNuHGmpVbXx2P0noWf-noMmFPsaizIP-3q9aVpSP6-4DYXGsJFR/s640/blogger-image-360498969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwTEeoPS-wK56Qs47Qk0gh2MeaDnYLlEiBDX-sq-1VibbZsdlTJfHwe1IJ58FJ64ghiL0ImpD-kMfWm6wrYbQqR1CUSNuHGmpVbXx2P0noWf-noMmFPsaizIP-3q9aVpSP6-4DYXGsJFR/s640/blogger-image-360498969.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just can't get enough of this pic - All smiles here </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG65AzvbL4pEoFyuXtOtlSV6aXOPVsKbQQnSeofA23smz2fulROdrpXXoQaZFzQfaDqwsEN7uOnKtsBj5t44iRWJjwhLl0mZAVeJq6iMepx7yAVhdazuk7pNS_MAZpqS4_HhZLwAxurtAU/s640/blogger-image--418105247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG65AzvbL4pEoFyuXtOtlSV6aXOPVsKbQQnSeofA23smz2fulROdrpXXoQaZFzQfaDqwsEN7uOnKtsBj5t44iRWJjwhLl0mZAVeJq6iMepx7yAVhdazuk7pNS_MAZpqS4_HhZLwAxurtAU/s640/blogger-image--418105247.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212038336468354994.post-42579484419423205642013-06-16T21:40:00.001-07:002013-10-02T05:22:57.323-07:00FactsI know for a fact that he was called by the critical care team 4 times in one night, (when he wasn't even on call). I know for a fact that he has met us in the emergency center twice when my child was in crisis. I know for a fact that he worked 8 weeks straight without a single day off -and saw my child EVERY one of those days. I know for a fact that he answers his personal cell phone anytime I have ever called. I know for a fact that he has stood at my child's bedside and adjusted ventilator settings for hours at a time. But even beyond all of that- I know for a fact that he saved my child's life. <div><br></div><div>Our family first met Dr. George Mallory on October 2, 2012. I will never forget the meeting that took place in PICU bed 19. Just a few days before, we had arrived at the emergency center with our <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 month old daughter, Parson, who had </span>a cough accompanied with respiratory issues. In those few short days, her condition worsened and the brilliant team of physicians went to work to determine the source of her problems. The team made quick work out of testing to determine that she had periventricular nodular heterotopia with a genetic mutation of filamin A. Bottom line is that her lungs did not function properly. Before the diagnosis had even sunk in, Dr. Mallory introduced himself as the head of the lung transplant program and explained that we would be spending a great deal of time together in the future. </div><div><br></div><div>Boy was he right. In a very short time we quickly learned about the role of a pulmonologist, about PVNH, filamin A and without a doubt that we were in best hands possible with Dr. George Mallory.</div><div><br></div><div>Parson's disease progressed rather quickly and we were so very fortunate to have Dr. Mallory on the case. He quickly built a great relationship with our child's pediatrician and both worked tirelessly to answer every question and provide information about day to day care and what to do in the case of an emergent situation. </div><div><br></div><div>The timeline of Parson's life from 2 months to 7 months was a very long, stressful period with many fearful moments. Dr. Mallory provided careful and confident instructions about her care. At 7 months of age, she was readmitted to PICU in respiratory failure. The Kangaroo Crew flew us from our home emergency center back to TCH. Since that time, Dr. Mallory has orchestrated every move related to her care. On June 8, 2013 he led the TCH team in performing a bilateral lung transplant for Parson. He along with surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Heinle, and his surgical team were modern day miracle workers who allowed my daughter to breathe easy for the first time in her little life. </div><div><br></div><div>Parson is now 4 months post transplant and at home for the first time since Feburary. As excited as we were to leave Houston, it seems so bitter sweet to leave a very important part of our family behind at Texas Children's. Dr. Mallory, we are so honored to have met you one year ago<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. Thank you for orchestrating the precious "gift of life" for Parson Blue. I know for a fact that we</span> consider you a special member of our family. </div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Mallory, <i> "I thank my God in every remembrance of you." - Philippians 1:3</i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAu-xkYNw5MvAJ9YPqscOjE-mN4BwamV9t4quKgNrCqqp-F1Iqm6yS8MlOxjywxbcydZcUujUD9qMGA0WrPJlphXG4K55ULvQz7bAYTnRDP-WHCHwIN_6TpjKl173TH3IedJVaNGsOV-U/s640/blogger-image--11363643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAu-xkYNw5MvAJ9YPqscOjE-mN4BwamV9t4quKgNrCqqp-F1Iqm6yS8MlOxjywxbcydZcUujUD9qMGA0WrPJlphXG4K55ULvQz7bAYTnRDP-WHCHwIN_6TpjKl173TH3IedJVaNGsOV-U/s640/blogger-image--11363643.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2MygMqPgGlxKN7wx0V4Pv62-ktZGYWzjNsSmqUm9w9ZsJMLYcdg76rNPXjJxlkqrJH2DanBC0yRke9XlIBMvPUF1jJTtQJC0RMnBodVtTSXUW4iS6fHcaMvEyL4Np5Evu80gIjFiqYn2/s640/blogger-image-1840305727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2MygMqPgGlxKN7wx0V4Pv62-ktZGYWzjNsSmqUm9w9ZsJMLYcdg76rNPXjJxlkqrJH2DanBC0yRke9XlIBMvPUF1jJTtQJC0RMnBodVtTSXUW4iS6fHcaMvEyL4Np5Evu80gIjFiqYn2/s640/blogger-image-1840305727.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrs3nEkEALNz6ah8ZqUXx7DnBLcQLNFcYFS86hXrs37KUUYkv_FYq8q-6Rddz0yKBe9rNL8VDWbdHlobpEjsjjAlXphSOac5BcRsUoyBGL-XpWimbX7ChsMrlNpD-8RYMVrG0HjORUWo1/s640/blogger-image-830909683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrs3nEkEALNz6ah8ZqUXx7DnBLcQLNFcYFS86hXrs37KUUYkv_FYq8q-6Rddz0yKBe9rNL8VDWbdHlobpEjsjjAlXphSOac5BcRsUoyBGL-XpWimbX7ChsMrlNpD-8RYMVrG0HjORUWo1/s640/blogger-image-830909683.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrSAaxLpu_WkCp69nbKJEOo4XZ-lgNG2S0_cp9HsT7AgUpA8g-pFVQ8zJDxo78lKAVH9rrzhciF1gULsnvCvKaLtzIL2nJ8XbWvkvGcBnDmaaN5zZc7jrsd1ShUwvNsu0sI3Y2dl1QsNC/s640/blogger-image--1825116489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrSAaxLpu_WkCp69nbKJEOo4XZ-lgNG2S0_cp9HsT7AgUpA8g-pFVQ8zJDxo78lKAVH9rrzhciF1gULsnvCvKaLtzIL2nJ8XbWvkvGcBnDmaaN5zZc7jrsd1ShUwvNsu0sI3Y2dl1QsNC/s640/blogger-image--1825116489.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><div><br></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132382136373068307noreply@blogger.com0