Thing 1

Thing1 needs a sneak peak picture too, don't you think?

Raise your hands

if you want to see this cute boy? I can't wait to be able to share MORE of this sweet boy. He's adorable.

But for now, this will have to do, I suppose.
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this and that

I'm hanging out (and quite bored) in room 708 at Children's Hospital of Boston with Mr. I. I am happy because I know he is getting superb care. We are in one of the best children's hospitals in the world and for that, we are very, very blessed. I would love one day to move back to VA (years from now) - but I will hate to ever leave the care of Boston.

I am also feeling a bit sorry for myself being here. Yesterday was gorgeous. Morgann started learning to ride her bike with out training wheels. And I missed it:-( And she read a lot of her bed-time story book herself. Once we get passed all the weird phonics in the English language, she will be a reader. (She thought that "Eigh" saying "ay" was really silly! I must agree with her.) She also prayed last night in sign language. She and Mr. K are working on signing! After one video I am super impressed on the amount of words she can sign already. I'm ready to be back home with my Morgann (and K too.)

Speaking of signing, we've been working with the boys with signing and a nurse yesterday asked if Mr. I signs. She said he was signing "more" and "food" while I was gone. It figures - that boy loves to eat! I am really happy he is starting to communicate. We are seeing slow but steady progress with his development. He also started holding his own bottle about two weeks ago. It is so nice!

K is doing okay. He has the same virus as Mr. I (Parainfluenza Virus Type 3). He is on a little bit of oxygen but doing pretty well none the less. Just a bit cranky. He is starting to sit better and play more. He is rolling a lot more to get toys.

I just realized that Mr. I is asleep and I'm watching Sesame Street. And is it bad, that I've been watching shows like "ICarly" even when I don't have a child around?

Alright, I've blabbered enough. Have a great week.

Five Year Old

Five years went so fast.

It seemed like just yesterday we were leaving Wake Med in our old Jeep Cherokee trying to avoid every pothole so not to bump our little newborn. Now, she thinks that the more bumps while driving, the better.

She is Independent. Smart. Funny. Clever. Helper. Curious. Talkative.

Our five year old.

We love you.

P.S. Stop growing up so fast.

Hospital Mom

So in case you haven't noticed, my blog has become more of a journal of our adventures in health care for two precious boys. Of course I love my sweet FIVE year old and have lots to say about her - but its not like the "Gotta just get my frustrations out on paper, errr, blog" kind of writing that I've felt like doing. (But I do need to post some pics from her birthday!) Just a disclaimer.

Our visit in Virginia ended with a two-day hospital stay for Mr. I. I think we handled it well and now Mr. I is well on his road to recovery. These babies just love hospitals I believe.

I now know that E.R. visits are much better when surrounded by family.

My mom came to the E.R. with us each time. She helped get IV's started and was a pillar of support. She recruited friends to come help with getting I's IV in the last time. He is quite a hard stick.

On the last visit, my cousin, Luke was working. He works in radiology. Every half hour or so, he would stop by our room and check in. He would pat Rich on the back. Give me a hug. Its that kind of support that is priceless in moments of stress. I can't express how thankful I was to have Luke and my mom around. They made a stressful event a bit more bearable.

God is good. All the time. And so good to give us family like mine.

This week has been tough. We are on "vacation." So far, we have had two E.R. visits, three sick kids and 5 prescriptions filled.

My friend Lacey posted this quote on one of her latest blog posts:
"Whenever God inspires, the initiative is a moral one. We must do the thing and not lie like a log. If we will arise and shine, drudgery becomes divinely transfigured.

Drudgery is one of the finest touchstones of character there is. Drudgery is work that is very far removed from anything to do with the ideal – the utterly mean, grubby things; and when we come in contact with them we know instantly whether or not we are spiritually real. Read John 13. We see the Incarnate God doing the most desperate piece of drudgery, washing fishermen’s feet, and he says – “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” It requires the inspiration of God to go through drudgery with the light of God upon it. Some people do a certain thing and the way in which they do it hallows that thing for ever afterwards. It may be the most commonplace thing, but after we have seen them do it, it becomes different. When the Lord does a thing through us, He always transfigures it. Our Lord took on Him human flesh and transfigured it, and it has become for every saint the temple of the Holy Ghost." Oswald Chambers

I opened up a Bible Gateway tab: and clicked on John 14. (Even though Mr. Chambers said John 13...I misread it or forgot, or perhaps God divinely intervened.)

Verse 1: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

Verse 27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Verses 15-23 speak a lot about obeying. "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (15)

So perhaps Mr. Chambers wanted me to read chapter 13. (I should probably go do that too) but God had other plans.

He reminded me through Mr. Chambers that even in the midst of trudgery - everyday nitty gritty hard life - which for our family includes many many hospital stays, ER visits, and prescriptions, breathing treatments, and long sleepless nights - that it is for really, our good. I am not to be troubled or dismayed. God is there beside me. I can press on. And I need to just...well do it. Obey God. In his divine plan he gave us two very special medically needy boys. And someday we will see something awesome come out of it. Though those baby boys' smiles are awesome in themselves.

Another reminder: "I do not give to you as the world gives" verse 27. God has given us two precious gifts. The world may not understand or see it that way. But God, his way is bigger and his gifts are better than any worldly gift.

Honestly, I will be very disappointed if tomorrow (on sweet Morgann's 5th birthday) those boys need another E.R. visit. I will be mad. I will ask God: "WHY??" And if that happens, I pray that God reminds me that this "drudgery" is for his glory, to transform my life, and a blessing to us in disguise. And that I will obey God and give him the glory.

Special

"Special needs" is such a scary term. At least for me. Its a word that is used many time with hushed voices and looks of concern and sorrow.

The other night I spent about an hour try to find clothing for K that works well with his G-J, pulse ox, and oxygen. I specifically like footed pajamas that snap up. They work great. But commonly only come in sizes up to 9 mo. One company makes them up to 18 mo., but at $50 a pair, well that's just not in the budget these days. I googled: "Clothing for G-tubes". Inevitably all the pages were on "Special needs." Do I really have a special needs child (or children)? It made me sad. All my pre-conceived notions about special needs children. The fear. The anxiety I once possessed while pregnant with Morgann that something would be wrong.

The thing is.

All of our kids are special.

They all have some sort of special needs.

And God knows these needs and will give us the strength to face them. Whether its K's interesting choice of accessories or Morgann's need for more discipline and structure.

Not to brag, but I'm constantly being told: "How great a job" we are doing with K and I. How flexible we are..blah blah blah. It is flattering. But honestly, it is not us.

It's God.

And to Him, I need to give more glory. Because sadly, I just usually say "thank you" and don't give the credit to the One who gives us the strength, patience and love for our three very special needs children.