Beach Magic

If you know us at all, you KNOW we LOVE the beach. It is part of the fiber of who our family is. Also, you probably know about out "other" family... our Project Surf Camp family, which is also part of the fiber of who we are.

 

 

With Nathaniel's recent health struggles and surgery I was very worried that we wouldn't get to experience the magic of Project Surf Camp this summer, and my heart was breaking over that. I think Nathaniel's was too, as it was ALL he talked about while in Rehab. You can't possible imagine the excitement and relief I felt when Dr. Sun told us he was released to surf. I actually did cry tears of relief and joy. Our family was able to join PSC for the opening day of surf camps season this year, yet I have been remiss in blogging it because the emotions were just too raw. I am going to take a stab at it today, and hope the tears stay where they belong!

 

To us, Project Surf Camp is:

 

 

Family that welcomes us home with open arms and love in their hearts.

 

 

Accessibility to one of God's greatest gifts for ALL!

 

 

A chance for siblings so differently abled to do something magical together.

 

 

It's a time for personal victories.

 

 

And a time to share the blessings with treasured friends.

 

 

To me personally, this day was

 

 

About contagious JOY! From a boy who had MAJOR, life altering spinal surgery just 38 days before this!

 

It was about personal victories and finding out that no matter how changed his body is, he can still fight back and be victorious!

 

It was about our family finding normal again.

 

And it was about PRAISING the Lord for His GREATNESS!

 

On this special day at Project Surf Camp, I hung up my hat as Board of Directors member, I didn't even take many pictures (and if you know me then you KNOW that is a miracle),

 

 I just BASKED in His glory.

 

I let Him wash all around me as I prayed and worshiped Him for His GREATNESS.

 

I wept tears unending.

 

And I TOTALLY enjoyed the precious gift of my children SURFING TOGETHER!

 

If you wonder why we say that Project Surf Camp CHANGES LIVES, this is just one small story of the HUGE greatness this camp does.

 

If you want to experience TRUE magic, and God's blessing, let me know, I would LOVE to take you down to the beach with us, get you hooked up to volunteer.... I GUARANTEE you will walk away a changed person.

 

I am excited to say, we are heading down to the beach today... and I can't tell you how much my heart needs a little magic today!

 

I also want to mention a quick THANK YOU to Breann Hollon of Breann Hollon Photography for the AMAZING images of this special day that she captured. My dear, sweet friend volunteers her time and talent to come out and take fabulous pictures that she provides to PSC families free of cost. What a sweetheart! But she also does great work here locally too, so if you need so fabulous photographs, make sure you look her up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



My Cup Runneth Over

I am sorry it has been so many days since I updated. We have been basking in the GLORY of all God is doing, and running like crazy to try and keep up with life! Let's Go back to Tuesday and see what has been happening.

 

 

Tuesday morning, after getting his kicking new shoes, Nat rocked his last couple of therapy sessions. While he was working away, I was packing away. We sure managed to get a LOT of stuff over the 6 weeks we were at the hospital! But I got it all packed up, checked out of the family house again, and got the car packed.

 

The Rehab unit is mostly kids that are there for long periods of time. Believe it or not our 6 weeks was actually pretty short. They deal mostly with traumatic brain injuries, but also other neurological things (like Nat!) too. One of the cool things that the Rehab team does is throw a party for the kids when they get to go home. These kids work SO HARD with these therapists day after day and they all bond so tightly, to just leave with nothing would be so hard on all of them. So all the kids from the unit gather around the nurses station, as many of the nurses and therapists as possible come over, and they sing and have treats and give the kiddo leaving a gift. It is really cool. Quick, easy and yet provides such great closure!

 

After Nat's party there were a few papers to sign, discharge directions to go over and balloons to collect... and then we were OFF! 

 

One of my now so smart moves became apparent next, as the car told me just how NOT happy it was about not moving for 6 weeks. My battery was dead, sigh. It turns out all of those security escorts back and forth to the family house came in handy for more than just keeping me safe in the mean streets of Oakland! When the security team found out my battery was dead they came right over and jumped it for me. Such kind guys! So, after a little delay, this boy and I were ready to hit the road! That picture is both of us sitting in the front seat of the car, ready to get going!

 

I was totally exhausted leaving Oakland. The emotion and stress of the last 6 weeks had really caught up with me, along with the NEED to see home, to hold my daughter, for my family to sleep all under the same roof and for me to sleep in my own bed! I was sort of concerned about the drive home, it was a long 250 miles we faced, but I just laid it on the Lord and started driving. The first hour or so was heavy traffic and not so familiar roads, but then it was like the load was lifted. The drive was actually so very easy and almost like someone else was doing it. As we got closer to home and back in our familiar turf I started to get anxious again. That happens to me, I just want to BE HOME, even though I know we have about an hour left. Right then is when a dear friend called me and chatted with me (yes, via my hands free set!) all the way till I pulled into my driveway. He kept me laughing and giggling and made those last miles fly by.

 

Then there was this BEAUTIFUL sight. I can't tell you how thrilled my heart was to see out house to pull up to our front door and to walk into MY sanctuary! There REALLY is no place like home!

 

And then my cup really did run over. Audrey and Damen had made a sweet welcome home sign for us, my friends and church had filled our fridge with groceries (and OUR kind of food too!), a dear sweet friend had put diner in the crock pot so we came home to a fresh cooked meal and a house smelling divine, and there were even fresh flowers on my dining room table. I am truly so blessed by the people that God puts in my life.

 

Since being home, I can't explain the PURE joy of being here. From the simple things like friends who came over IMMEDIATELY to give hugs and say welcome home, to the bank tellers welcoming me home with smiles and hugs, to the big things, like my family back together as a unit and to freedom of our own home. It is all such a blessing.

 

 

Being home means so much, like sleeping in a real bed, not the window bed that was 6 inches shorter than I am! Like not hearing the IV alarm sound constantly all day and night long. Like turning the lights out at night so it is actually dark to sleep. Like not having to wear security badges 24/7. Like taking a shower with bare feet, no flip flops. Like having privacy and dignity. Like not having to sleep fully clothes at night! Interestingly it was the little things that drove me nuts there, but the big things that I am constantly blessed by here. I can NOT express how much difference the love and joy and prayers that people pour over us has made in this journey.

 

I usually have so many words, and yet this journey seems to have taken them all away from me and left me speechless. But I did write this status update the other day on Facebook with tears of joy and thanksgiving running down my face, perhaps it can express my heart:

 

"What a day of emotions and love. I can't tell you how my heart feels after brunch with Bea pampering by Heather, walking into my home church for the first time in weeks, a warm welcome from The Rock Harbor Worship Team, hugs from dear friends like Gary & Trish, and finishing the night off with Katy and my PSC family. After the journey we have been on, my heart is humbled and blessed by the love I feel today. There really is NO PLACE like home, and I am SO BLESSED by the amazing people God has put in my life. Tomorrow? You will find me on my favorite beach watching magic happen, and praising Him with tears and joy... I KNOW I won't make it through tomorrow without tears of pure thanksgiving and humility at God's GREATNESS."

 

So for all of you I have left hanging there wondering how we are doing, please let me tell you we are FABULOUS and BLESSED. We are redefining "normal" in our house since Nathaniel is a really different boy than when we left (cognitively and physically functioning different), we are learning to be a family again after so much time apart and we are welcoming God's direction into every corner of our world. And I haven't forgotten the lessons God taught me either, I am making changes, following His lead and opening my EVERY breath to Him and his leading. I have a feeling God isn't done with this journey yet.

 

We love you and will try to keep you updated in our world! As always, thanks for standing with us in prayer and love and support!

 



Peach's Neet Feet

A while ago another Spina Bifida mom was talking about these super cool shoes her little guy go from a group called Peach's Neet Feet. Mr. K had been through SO MUCH with his SB, and I thought it was really cool that some one would make him special shoes. But I didn't really think of it for Nathaniel, because at that time he was fairly stable.  When we began this current journey with his spinal surgery, I was contacted by someone associated with the group and asked if I would like to apply for shoes for Nathaniel. I thought it might give him something cool to work with on his journey back to heal so I went for it.

 

Through a series of issues the shoes seemed to be something that would never actual transpire. I really though it would be cool to give them to him around his birthday, but God had other plans. In His perfect way, they showed up late last night. So Nathaniel got them this morning, his last day here on Rehab and his GOING HOME day!

 

 

He was REALLY excited to get his special treat....

 

 

I gave him the shoes one at a time so he could really appreciate the uniqueness that is in each design.

 

And he was so EXCITED each time he turned the shoe and saw something new.

 

When I was filling the paper work out for the shoes I was REALLY concerned about the size and style because in the past the ONLY thing that fit were the Converse Easy Ons. So you can imagine my absolute delight when the shoes fit PERFECTLY over his new braces!

 

So when we applied there was a form that we filled out asking all kinds of questions about what Nathaniel likes and this is what the fabulous artist did from Nathaniel's information:

 

 

 

My little sports man... he loves sports of ALL kinds so here is a jumble of balls.

 

 

And of course... my little man LOVES to surf, so here is a fabulous collection of surf boards!

 

Nathaniel's journey is Spina Bifida, so here is his SB awareness ribbon.

 

We always rest in the Lord, and Nathaniel's favorite football team is the Baltimore Ravens, so the toes of his shoes represent that.

 

And of course... His name, in his favorite color!

 

I am amazed by these AWESOME shoes!!

  

 

And Nathaniel is already ROCKING them at his final therapy sessions today!

 

 

If you are interested in finding our more about this AMAZING organization, go check them out on Facebook:

 

Peach's Neet Feet!

 

THANK YOU!!!!!

To all who helped make this unique and special gift happen!

 

Hidden Treasures

I sure have been a "Debbie Downer" recently haven't I?

 

I don't mean to, it is just that journey had gotten to the point that it totally overwhelmed my spirit. But Just like he always does, God brought the rainbow.

 

But before we head out for good, I do want to praise the Lord for the treasures along the way... Things I feel like my recent gloom has prevented me from praising Him for enough.

 

 

Thank you Lord for a safe bed. When Nathaniel first came out of surgery he could not stand AT ALL on his own. But he kept forgetting that and trying to get up out of bed. Someone had to be with him CONSTANTLY, but when family went home and it was me alone, that was too much. With this bed, I could zip him in, clip the locks and walk away. I didn't have to worry about his safety and that was HUGE. 24/7 bedside vigil is just impossible for one person to do alone!

 

 

 

Thank you Lord for nurses after your heart. This nurse was one of the BIGGEST blessing of our whole trip. She was AMAZING. She loved on us. She took AMAZING care of Nathaniel. She went to Trader Joes and brought us real food. She got batteries from her house for Nathaniel's remote control car. She hugged on me when I couldn't handle anymore and broke down in tears. She fought for what we needed. She even brought me fresh nectarines off of her tree. Nurse Debbie is a jewel of God, and an amazing sister. We are SO blessed that she was our primary nurse!

 

 

Thank you God for simple things... like AMAZING instant coffee so I had something to look forward to every morning when I woke up. Coffee here was close to $4 a cup, which is RIDICULOUS, so the Via that a dear friend gave me was a life saver. No one waned to face me in the morning without at least one cup in me!

 

 

Thank you Lord for a GREAT Rehab therapy team, but especially this AWESOME Physical Therapist that pushed Nat so hard without him even realizing he was working! This is the reason we stayed here so long, so Nathaniel could get this amazing therapy multiple times a day. I KNOW this is one of the reasons he is making such great gains.

 

 

 

 

Thank you Lord for AMAZING friends that made the LONG trip up to visit us while we were on this journey. These trips were pure breaths of fresh air. Bea, Tammy, MeLissa and April, you will never know how deeply your sacrifices touched my heart and helped my spirit.

 

 

Thank you Lord for GREAT activities and blessings to the children being treated here! From personal screenings of Monsters University, to Joy Jars delivered by Chicago Bears football players, to sweet gifts from Child Life, to this amazing visit, and so much more. There were always special things for the kids to be blessed with while they are here.

 

 

Thank You Lord for this court yard, which became my sanctuary while we were here. This girl needs her fresh air, and God scenery and space, and this court yard was a safe place that I was allowed to take Nathaniel with me to get those things I needed. I don't think I could have survived here without this place. I laid on the benches here and talked on the phone or listened to my iPod for hours. Nat played here daily. And it was just our sane place to go.

 

 

Thank you Lord for new friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, who gave freely of their time to bless this family they had never heard of before. And especially Mina, who continues to bless me with her friendship and support all the way through this journey! What a treat to meet, be blessed by and bless others through our storm.

 

 

 And most of all, Thank You Lord, for EVERY SINGLE individual who made this journey with us. From brand new friends on line, to brothers and sisters from church, from dear sweet friends to community members who saw our story and joined with us, from family to the strangers we met on the elevator that we stopped and prayed with. Thank you Lord for EVERY single prayer that was uttered on our behalf, for every tear cried, for every hug given, for every text message, for every Facebook message or comment, for every phone call and for every conversation. Thank you Lord that every step of the way we were wrapped in YOUR family and you NEVER left our side. Without the outpouring of love, support and prayer we have gotten we could never have completed this race.... and the finish line for this leg of the race is right there in front of us!!

 

So right now, in this moment, I am on my knees praising the Lord, for He is SO good.... ALWAYS!

 

 

 

 



Family Meeting and more

Our first family meeting was yesterday. A family meeting is when I get to sit down with the whole team treating Nathaniel and hear what they have to say. Being brand new to this facility I was a little apprehensive about what this would be like. But I prayed lots, and was as ready as I could be for it.

 

 

After the meeting I took Nathaniel outside for some sun therapy and I took some quiet time in prayer and listening to music before I could even share with close family and friends. I plugged in my iPod, laid in the grass and found a patch of sky that didn't have anything "city" in it.... and PRAYED through all I had just heard.

 

 

It's not that I heard so much BAD news, it's just that it is all so overwhelming at times. And there is no one to talk it through with, so I had to talk it through with God.

 

So...

 

The overseeing doctor had a few thoughts, mostly centered around the fact that she feels that Nathaniel wasn't getting proper services and was under conditioned coming into this situation. That was difficult to come into. I work HARD to get him services, we do TONS of therapy at home daily, and I try very hard to stay on top of his care and stuff. So it was defeating to hear that she doesn't feel like his chore strength is what it should be, that he is in the wrong braces, and that his home care plan is not adequate. And that is what we started the meeting with. Joy.

 

The medical doctor was next. Nathaniel has been battling kidney issues, a UTI, and a migraine all on top of the recovery from the spinal surgery. So we had a lot to discuss team wide there, but his medical doctor is AMAZING at talking to me, so I wasn't surprised by anything she said. If anything her talking centered me again after the first report.

 

Next up Speech Therapist. The speech part of this treatment was adding sort of as a "I have time and he could use it" thing. Nathaniel hasn't had speech services in years. But her report  was another downer. She talked about his pragmatics, she talked about the lack of sequencing, she talked about the lack of social and conversational skills and she talked about the self centeredness of Nathaniel. All things I know, even some are things I have TRIED to get addressed, but haven't had much luck at. Then she started in on his current IEP and all the "necessary" things she saw missing there. Again, I went to the "wow, I thought I did this better" place. Sometimes I think these people need to stop and think about how they come across to families that are working so hard.

 

Next up OT (Occupational Therapy). Now Nathaniel gets OT at home once a month, so I am pretty up to date on what is "normal" there. Here they have been working with him on regaining self care skills, and how to do things he did before the surgery, but now has to do different ways, like pulling up his clothing or cathing or reaching things. Their report was pretty much in line with what I thought it should be and right what I have been seeing while we have been here. They also commented on how well mannered Nathaniel is with them. That made me laugh, as I always TRY to teach my children manners, but they tend to push my buttons so well!

 

Finally we got to the meat and bones of the report, PT (Physical Therapy) but the bummer is that Lucy, his fabulous therapist is on vacation this week, so we have had a lot of fill ins. This therapist was encouraging that she said he is gaining strength daily (which I can totally see) and we are all happier with the full AFOs and how he is walking in them. The discussion did come up about floor reactive AFOs and I am pretty set against those, I would far rather see him in a dynamic brace that is less cumbersome. This is a discussion I will continue to have before getting his final braces, but for now the new ones are working well. The PT report was very encouraging that they do feel like he is making great gains, and I feel like he is an amazing hard worker... so we agree on that!

 

Then FINALLY we got to talk about the important stuff. You know, the "when in the heck can we transition HOME" stuff. Now don't get me wrong, I KNOW this is where we are supposed to be, and this is God's plan for us right now, but DANG IT it is SO HARD to be here. So hard missing Audrey, so hard being so far from family and friends and so hard trying to EAT here, lol. I was both encouraged and discouraged with the pragmatics and time line laid out in front of me. Nathaniel will need PT 3 times per week at home, and will continue to need daily work. We will go home with a walker most likely, because as much as he is gaining, they don't expect full ambulation for many more weeks. And...

 

Drum Roll Please....

 

We have an expected discharge date of....

 

July 10th.

 

Yea, two more full weeks.

 

I think I can.....

I think I can.....

I think I can.....

I think I can.....

 

Yea... it is discouraging  in some ways. I am SO ready to be home NOW. But I am praying that it will help Nathaniel be that much more ready when we do go home. Please Lord, make it all worth it. And if you are praying for us, please pray I can keep my sanity here for 2 more weeks, that things with Audrey balance out, and that Nathaniel looses his "teenager" attitude that is pushing my buttons right now!

 

So that was yesterday....

Today I want to show you what a ROCK STAR this kid is!!

 

But technology is being EVIL to me!

The only place that my phone will upload the video to is Facebook, so I made it public and a going to post the link...Please, go watch it.

 

WATCH VIDEO HERE

 

This ROCK STAR couldn't stand post surgery. Last week he did well to stand with assistance. Today is WALKING OUTSIDE of the therapy gym for the first time post surgery! Our God is SO GREAT!!!! Just thought you would all like a little sample of how your prayers are blessing us!

 

If for some reason you can't watch it, here are a few stills for you... but they are nothing like the video!

 

 

Is this kid amazing or what?

 

Yea, I think so too!

 

As always, thank you for taking this journey with us, we love you!

 

Poor Poor Guy!

The view from my window bed was gloomy and rainy all day.

 

 

Nat struggled through the day.

I struggled through the day.

 

And the day..... did it's thing.

 

Nat worked hard at therapy. His new braces seem to be working well. He is a bit sore, but that is to be expected with such a huge bracing change. Other than that they seem to be working out well.

 

The evening took a dive for the worse though. Nathaniel had been complaining off and on throughout the day of a headache, he wasn't eating right (which could have caused the headache) and he was mopey. I was doing the assess and problem solve thing all afternoon and evening. But at 8, God finally had mercy on me and showed me the problem...

 

It seems the ultrasound wasn't completely correct...

Around 8 Nathaniel decided that it would great fun to pass another HUGE stone, throw up EVERYWHERE and pass out. Charming child. At least I wasn't WEARING any of it this time, so I guess I am getting a LITTLE quicker! Still not fun to deal with, and poor poor guy HURT like heck.

 

After all that was said and done momma needed to take a little walk and talk to friends for a while... a long while. When I came back the boy was sleeping and we had a somewhat restful evening.

 

They drew labs bright and early this morning to test his kidney function and see if everything is balanced... Praying for those results. I am also getting ready to go into our first family meeting in a few minutes. I am curious to see how this works, and REALLY curious to see what they think our new adjusted timeline is. Pray with me?

 

We will update again soon!

 

Catch up updating

Well.....

The ride continues around here!

Today marks the three week mark of us being here. Three really super long weeks of lots of highs and lows, lots of pain and hard work, and even a fair amount of tears.

 

Nathaniel continues to work hard in his therapy, and although it is a very slow process he is doing great. I have my first "Family Meeting" on Wednesday where I get to sit down with all of the doctors and therapist at once and hear what they think about how he is doing, what direction we are heading and their adjusted time line. I am in part looking forward to it and in part dreading it. And I am flying solo in it, but I am getting way too used to this flying solo thing. Not that I am saying I am getting any better at flying solo, but I am at least getting used to it! But I am so past ready for God to bring a life partner to make these stormy journeys with me!

Saturday day was this girls birthday.....

 

 

Well...

that was her....

about 18.5 years ago!

 

 

She looks a bit more like this now..

 

I was bummed to miss her special day... I know she understands where I am and why I am here, but I am still used to spoiling them on their day! This girl is going to have a "do over" birthday when I get home!

 

The harder thing to miss on Saturday AND Sunday was Audrey's dance show. I have never missed one of her shows. This is a first for me as a mom, and when Mark (her father) texted to say he had been there, I REALLY felt like a horrible mother. But what could I do? There is only one of me... and one is probably enough for this world! Faline, Brianna and Josh kept me supplied with pictures and updates, and Gramie texted me often to tell me how great Audrey was doing, but I still felt awful!

 

 

Thankfully I have pictures...

And I ordered a DVD, so when I get home we can all watch it together.

But it still feels like a mommy fail.

 

Thankfully the Lord gave me something else to focus on for a bit on Saturday.

 

 

Our DEAR SWEET friends the Jansen's came up to hang with us on Saturday. What a TOTAL TREAT for the second week in a row! It is SO GOOD to see faces from home, to get hugs and to simply hang out. Even when kids are being KIDS, and time is limited, and we are tired... it is still SUCH A BLESSING to see friends!

 

 

You see those SMILES????

Those smiles are PRECIOUS and a gift and we are so blessed that Bea, and Kaleb and Gavin brought  them to us!

 

After Bea and the kids left on Saturday Nathaniel began having more bladder issues. Things really haven't balanced out for him since the 7 days of Foley. But Saturday night Nathaniel had passed 5 stones. Poor kid, that has just GOT TO hurt. He is still having issues, so we FINALLY got an ultrasound tonight. Hopefully we will have results tomorrow. With everything else that is going on, I really hope either he has passed all the stones, or that the remaining ones are small enough to do a flush and get out. Really? Not ready to head back under anesthesia yet!

 

Sunday was a very low key day. Nathaniel didn't feel good, I was struggling emotionally and the Lord was walking me through another battle of the mind too. To say we were both BLAH would be an understatement. We did journey outside a few times to Nathaniel's favorite tunnel for a little fresher air and some sunshine.

 

 

 

He even talked me into getting in his tunnel with him... ONCE!

 

Nathaniel's favorite hangout when he's feeling down.

 

 

The other fun thing we did on Sunday was figure out how to wash Nathaniel's hair for him! He hadn't been able to really bathe since before his surgery, and his hair was driving him NUTS!!! SO the doctor told me as long as I didn't get his back dressing wet, I could wash his hair!! We got creative with his bed, and in the end he was MUCH happier!

 

Sunday evening Audrey headed over to our dear friends the Dicus's home. I guess I should have warned them how much Audrey misses having a dad figure in her life.... seems she and Chris got a little hyper together! It was fun to get silly playful pictures from MeLisa of Chris and Audrey having giggles and fun.

 

 

Monday morning brought more highs and lows.

 

Nathaniel was still in pain from his back AND his bladder tract. But at least we had an ultrasound ordered for later in the day. And the high....

 

 

Was that our WONDERFUL friends the Dicus Family came up to see us..... It was lots of fun to hang out with Luke, Anna Grace and MeLisa for a few hours.

 

 

AND they brought MY PRINCESS with them!!! I can't explain the hurt in my heart being so far away from her day after day. This momma doesn't do long distance well. It was so good to have her here with us for a few hours. I feel like I am stealing time every time I get her for a bit. But it helps my heart so much too. MeLisa can't possibly know how very much it means to me that they all took the time to come see us AND bring Audrey in the midst of so much in their own busy lives. Such dear sweet friends we have. They make this journey more bearable.

 

The kids laughed, and made a video, and played sock football and just were KIDS for a bit. MeLisa and I got to talk and be "normal" for a while and I got LOTS of hugs. The day was truly blessed.

 

Nathaniel had to do his normal therapy in the midst of all of the visiting. And he had new braces made yesterday too!

 

 

The doctors and therapist are not liking what his SMOs are doing for him right now, and they don't fit right post surgery either, they are giving him pressure sores. So the team said "new braces" and my heart flipped. Anyone who walks the SB journey knows that changes in braces aren't usually an easy thing. And Nat has been in SMOs for a pretty long time. So I was expecting the long drawn out discussion that we have been having at home about what is "right" for him. But not at all. They said "AFO is the next thing to try"... I was questioning the carbon floor reactive as we had been looking into those at home. But they said they just make up the AFOs here and we try them and that tells us where to go next. I was floored. Usually there is such a hassle with insurance, and casting and fitting and blah blah blah.... but nope. They casted him.....

 

 

And less than an hour later he had new kicks on! Amazing.

 

So these are temporary kicks, to try them out and see if this is the correct brace for Nathaniel. Can I tell you how IN LOVE I am with this theory??? So in love. Excited to see what will happen with this!

 

Also, right before dinner Nathaniel finally got his ultrasound....

and drum roll please....

the doctor JUST came in as I am writing this....

and there are NO MORE STONES!

Thank you Lord.

I am not sure I could have dealt with more anesthesia this soon.

 

We ended Monday with a sweet picture from MeLisa of Audrey being a KID and having a BLAST. Makes my heart happier, even if I can't be there with her.

 

 

At least she is getting some summer and some fun!

 

Today is rainy and gloomy... and so is my mood.

But I have my ipod....

and my bible......

and my  friends....

and I am praying this gloom away!

 

Prayer points for today:

 

*For strength as we continue this long long journey. That our hearts not grow weary.

 

*For someway to make Friday special for Nathaniel

 

*For continued healing and strength and progress for Nathaniel

 

*For a personal journey that the Lord has me on, that His path is the path I stay on, and that I see God's leading in each step of the journey.

 

As always, we love each of you taking this journey with us SO MUCH. Thank you so much for praying with us, loving on us, and encouraging us so much. I so could not do this without so many of you behind us keeping us lifted up. Seriously. Couldn't do it. You all are my constant reminder of God's strength and compassion right now.