Lets add a concussion to the mix

So.... Monday night we get home, I make dinner, we eat, take our bath's and sit down for a quiet evening of watching the Olympics. Eric's Mom had made some yummy cake so we were going to have some dessert. Eric was bringing the plates and coffee into the living room. Evan saw Daddy coming around the corner and ran and did a kung fu move and socked Eric in the belly. Eric was telling Evan that we do not hit and to be careful when someone has a drink. Evan was crying and pretending that he had never been told this before and came running for Mommy. He was upset that Daddy had scolded him and I was telling him that he has to be disciplined. He cheered up and we were playing back and forth.... next thing I know Evan jerk's away from me, head first, with all of his 50 lbs. straight into the coffee table with his head. The cracking sound made me scared to look at his face when I grabbed him up. Seriously, I just knew I would see his skull or brains. I got his hands away and immediately there was a bump coming up that went to baseball size in seconds. As I said before, we had just had our bath's so everyone was in pj's. We got dressed and out the door in lightning speed... I got an ice pack and held it on his head the ride to the Dr.'s and at one point during the 3 minute drive Evan told me he couldn't see.... I panicked and asked him to tell me how many fingers and he was right... I asked him why he said he couldn't see and his response was that the ice pack was over his eyes, oiy. The Dr. kept us there for a few hours to check his vitals and make sure he hadn't fractured his skull. Thankfully it is not that serious and we were able to come home as long as we put ice on it for 5 min. every hour and woke him every hour. Fun night. Seriously....

Check out this pic from this morning - it was down to egg size.

The Dr. said he would probably have two black eyes and told Evan to tell people who asked that, "You should see the other guy." If he only knew, read the last post.

Going Back

While it is still fresh on my memory I wanted to go back a bit and post about how we told Evan and how he handled it.

I think I had talked about it before but I knew that Evan would need time to process what was going to happen at the hospital and that we would need to explain it to him a few days before to give him that time. I dreaded telling him and struggled with what to say. There really isn't much to say to make a cath. sound good. I was able to tell him when he had his scan that we would be with him the entire time and that if he was brave we would go home and not have to stay. On the way home the Monday before the cath. I secretly hoped Eric would work late so I could blame not telling him on that I wanted him to be there, no such luck. After dinner I was still sending silent prayers of what in the world I was going to say.

Then it just came to me. I remembered a book and hat Evan had received from the hospital at his OHS called Hero Club - http://www.happyhatsforkids.com/intro.html . Evan likes to pull this book out every once and a while and is very proud reading it - knowing the book will tell him that he is a member of the hero club. This little book tells about a child going into the hospital scared and is given a hat which all the other kids say has magical powers and to put it on. It goes on to explain certain hospital procedures (x-rays, blood draws, IV's, medicine, etc.) and what to expect. The hat comes to life while the child is asleep in surgery and they go on an adventure and he explains that it isn't the hat that is magical at all but that the child was a hero because he was brave and so on. After reading this to Evan I told him there was a reason I had read it and that he was going to the hospital for a cath. He didn't cry... he did ask several questions. One question was, "why does my heart need help?" I looked at him for a moment and remembered the straws I just saw in the kitchen drawer and went and got one and told Evan to blow through it. Then I pinched it and told him to blow through it again. I told him he has an artery that is like a straw that takes blood to his lungs from his heart and it is a little pinched and that they needed to blow through it. Evan seemed okay with this although he did share with a few people that he was going to the hospital to have his straw blown into.

The next few days were full of behavioral issues. It was hard seeing him be so aggressive (more so than usual) and struggle to deal with emotions. Evan's side of one situation was that before T-Ball he and a few friends were running and they started chasing him, he asked them to stop and they didn't so he was starting to cry and they laughed. All we saw was Evan with his arms around the kid taking him down. He said they hurt him and that he was in turn hurting them. He doesn't know how to "play" the game back, he only knows how to respond physically. He doesn't get that at all - he's very aggressive but very tender hearted. We spent an evening this week role playing and using words instead of actions to stop someone from getting a kick out of him crying.

I'll post again later with pictures on how we spent the night last night. He is going to send me to the looney house I'm sure.

Unsuccessful Cath = Surgery #2

We are home, tired and incredibly sad about how yesterday turned out. Evan spent 7 long hours in the cath lab. The longest any of his procedures, including his OHS, has ever taken. Eric & I, along with other family were on pins and needles the entire time. It seemed as if complications were the word from the get go. I hope I understood everything and can document it all correctly. The main vein that is usually what is used for the cath had develped thrombosis (clotted) from how many times it had been used I believe. They have other options but none that are as good. So from the very first call from the lab we were told they were having difficulty. They options they had were going through the right leg or the neck but ended up gaining access through the femoral artery in the left leg and was able to cross over into the arterial artery. They then called to say they were getting pictures and measurements and that the right pulmonary artery was measuring 12.5mm and the left with the stent 7mm so the plan was to begin the process to dilate the stent. We received many calls after that saying they were trying to guide the wire into the stent and were having difficulty finding a wire flexible enough to make the crazy turns that Evan's anatomy has in his left pulmonary artery - explained to be a very diffult S shape. On wire #7 they called and said they were bringing in another team of Dr's. We receieved another call within minutes after a team of 4 Dr.'s began working that they had guided wire #8 into the stent and were going to begin leading the balloon in. There were smiles through tears in the waiting room and the nurse seemed like a stressful situation had ended with a good outcome. We were still celebrating when the last call came that said, it failed. As soon as the began trying to lead the balloon in the wire came out and after several attempts the team of 4 decided that there was just no way to get the wire and balloon successfully through the S curve of the left pulmonary artery to dilate the stent. We were asked to come to the dreaded room of bad news and our tears turned into stares of disbelief. I kept waiting for a nurse or Dr. to come around the corner and say, "We are in, it's okay." Instead, the tired Dr. came around the corner looking defeated and disgusted. He explained with pictures that showed how many times they tried over and over and over to get a wire, any wire to follow that complicated S curve and enter perfectly into that narrowed stent and everytime the wire would not cooperate. The dreaded words, "surgery." He explained that this is our only option and that it would need to be soon. There are a few different options for the surgery although I won't go into them here until I understand them more myself. They are presenting Evan to the surgeon next Mon. at heart board and he will make the final decision on what would be best for Evan. Please pray for us... I cannot even begin to come to terms with facing surgery again.
We are so thankful for our Brave little boy. Evan is doing well - he woke up and wanted to go home but had difficulty peeing as he had been cath'd during the procedure and it burned. Once he did that through tears, we were able to leave. We got home late last night, carried Evan to bed and slept. Evan woke up at 5am and got sick. By 7 this morning we were showering and trying to remove the nasty bandages and packing from both legs as it seems both were attempted. I believe it took an entire hour but he is feeling much better now.
As I said, the board will be discussing Evan's case, I believe, next Monday. I know that there is a reason for all of this, although it doesn't seem fair at this moment. One of the options that were discussed yesterday could in fact make it possible for this to be the only surgery Evan has to face, the other options would require another surgery at adulthood. Please pray for the decisions being made by the team. Please pray for us to remain strong in our faith. Please pray for our hope to not diminish as we have been given all reason to believe the outcome of this to be fine although the road will be hard.

Cath. Date

The Dr. called with a few options on cath. dates and we decided that although it sounds so soon having it done before school starts would be best. The pre-op will be on Friday, Aug. 1st and the cath. on the following Mon., Aug. 4th.
So... I guess on Monday evening we'll tell Evan and begin preparing him. He did so well with the scan but, we were able to promise him things with the scan. We were able to tell him if he was brave and got the IV he could go without the Versed up the nose (which he hates) and that we would be able to leave and do something fun. There is nothing to promise him with the cath. All I'll be able to tell him is what will happen not options that if you do this it will be better. He knows now what a cath. means and will immediately begin asking I'm sure about Versed. I believe Versed will be necessary as without it would be mean walking into the cath. lab with no meds if he didn't have it and although he is strong I'm sure that would be hard. He will ask if he has to be without us and yes he will when he wakes up in recovery. He'll ask if he has to stay the night and yes, he will have to stay 24 hrs. in ICU. He is 4 though and I have to prepare him, I can't walk into the hospital and him be blindsighted by what will happen. This is going to be tough.

Mom's Brown Co. Birthday Trip

Mom's 65th B-day Getaway (C.D.)

My brother and I treated my Mom with a weekend getaway to Brown Co. IN - just the 3 of us, for her 65th Birthday. We had a blast and I think we laughed the whole time we were there. My Mom is my very best friend. I can not imagine what I would ever do without her. She is the person who knows me and my secrets and still loves me. Evan and his Mamaw share a connection and I'm so thankful for the memories they are making together everyday. It has been such a blessing that he is able to stay with her during the work week. I loved our weekend.

P.S. something funny we saw in a store that I can't quit laughing over (I said I wouldn't post this and here I am, posting it) - "Some people skinny dip, we chunky dunk" OMG... isn't that the funniest thing.... Michael, your laughing, aren't you??? Every laugh seemed to have to do with chunky dunk...

Advice Please...

I would like to request some advice on a situation I'm dealing with from all of you...

Evan is a rowdy, lively & crazy 4 year old who when it comes to feelings is ultra sensitive. I attribute this to his sheltered life - especially in the first few years before preschool. He is still mostly only around our immediate family and a few close friends other than during school that he started this year.

Evan is very sensitive of me, his Daddy and his Mamaw. We are his. He is known to get mad it me if I look at a picture of another kiddo and say, "awwhhh." He pouts and asks me if I like them more than him. We have had many long conversations about this and how it isn't nice and that I'm always his Mommy and he is always my boy and how much we Love him. It never seems to help.

If you are Evan's friend, you are his friend always. He doesn't understand why you would ever be his friend today and then not want to play with him tomorrow. We were in a situation recently (if you are reading this and you were there, kids are kids and no hurt feelings. Just trying to get advice for my own kid to handle these situations better) where we were at the park with a big group of friends and acquaintances. One few of Evan's closest friends was there but for whatever reason was not wanting to play with him. I'm thinking that since they see him more they wanted to play with new kids or just the classic version of 3 is a crowd. I don't know. Evan could not understand this and wasted his park time running around after this friend asking, "why are you not playing with me?", "can I play with you?", "what's wrong?" He went on to get this kid's dad and said please tell him to play with me. The kids would be told to include Evan and then according to Evan run off once the adult was gone without him. Evan cried. He sat on the bench and cried. (I was in a meeting just outside the playground and had friends inside the playground watching him. I could see this going on but couldn't leave the meeting.)

Last night I wanted to talk to him about it. I told him that when someone isn't being nice or doesn't want to play to walk away, find someone else to play with or play by yourself. I also said that I'm sure had he done that, that these friends probably would have joined him eventually. That because he cried it turned into a game for them. That kids will think he is a crybaby if he does this. Evan got so upset with me. Told me that I don't understand him. He said he is not a normal boy who can walk away (where did he get that?).

I'm so not this way and almost feel like maybe I'm being cruel trying to get him to be tough when it comes to feelings in public. But... I hate to see him being the kid running, begging for someone to play with him.
Advice?

Sneak Peak

We have had our first meeting and are starting our fundraising season for our local AHA Heart Walk, which will be on Sept. 27th. We were missing a handle of families last night but... isn't this wonderful - all these beautiful children together for a cause. We are excited!!!

Our Little TBall Star!

Back to the cath. lab

Dr. McOmber called and said that he met with the board on Mon. evening and that I'll be getting a call from Dr. Kim to schedule the cath. Dr. Kim is replacing Dr. Recto and has been training with him for a year or more... Dr. Recto is moving to New Orleans.
He said the same thing we talked about before... he doesn't want to miss out on time when they might regret it in the future... Dr. Kim thought that the decrease in %'s the scan showed (80-20) needs a cath. to check things out and either dialate the stent or insert another one, Dr. McOmber agrees. He said Dr. Kim is very busy, summer surgeries trying to get in before school starts and before cold/flu/RSV season for little ones.... But that, Dr. Kim's office will be calling me to schedule it. Dr. Kim wants to review Evan's file, past cath's and past scans before scheduling the cath, so he wasn't sure when I would hear from him but soon.
So... the waiting begins again. I was mostly expecting the cath. but was going to be super happy if they thought it could wait. As always I just want the best for Evan and have to trust God and our beloved Dr. that this is what is best.
In the meantime... we will continue to enjoy summer. Hope all of you are as well.

Baseball weekend

I still haven't heard from the board... Dr. McOmber called last week to let us know the board meeting had been cancelled for the week and they would meet today so, I should hear from him tonight or tomorrow concerning cath or no cath.

We have been busy... T-ball practice is on Thur. nights and then the game is Sat. mornings. We love the time we are spending with friends though.

My brother and his family were taking their other nephew, Nick, to the Louisville Sluggers Field to watch the Riverbats play Sat. night and invited us along. Evan loves Nick... bugs the heck out of him, LOL. It was sooo hot... but when the sun went down it was super nice and enjoyable.

Happy Father's Day!

We are busy, busy and having lots of fun! I'm loving the time we've been able to spend with friends and family this past week or so and the summer is going to be so much fun... Evan started T-Ball and we are spending Thur. evening with his best buds and then again Sat. mornings for games... Go Almond Joy's, LOL!!! It's HOT but... FUN!!! Remember the commercial for Almond Joy's - maybe I shouldn't have taught it to Evan... Eric said it is not appropriate that he is singing "Almond Joy's got nuts..." I hope they don't play the Mounds. So, T-Ball twice this week, swimming at Nana's (my BFF of 30 yrs. Mom's), ending with a night at the Drive-In's - we had a fun week! We saw Kung Fu Panda (really good) and Indiana Jones (can you believe it is Evan and Eric who stayed awake for BOTH movies?).

It has been sooo hot and Evan had been wanting to get his hair all cut off like his Daddy's so, what do you think? I was so scared but... I really like it! We got a pool for Mamaw's to beat the heat... don't you all remember the pools we had as kids? You blew them up yourself and filled them with water or even the hard plastic kind? We have nothing like that available here - it is all these huge pools that took even an electric air pump an hour to blow up and then another hour to fill half way with water.... by the time you get done you wish you could put it away but, with 2 hrs. of work... it is getting a plastic cover... we might as well gotten a real pool, LOL. Evan loves it.

One of our heart friend families here in Lou. has been trying to adopt from Korea for well over a year and I'm so excited to say that their baby will be home sometime this summer and am going to ask permission to post their new additions pic here. I can't wait!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there! This blog I wrote back in 2006 about my guy's still rings true - I LOVE YOU ALL!!! http://evanbraveheart.blogspot.com/2006/06/men-in-my-life.html

Dr.'s thoughts on scan

Just talked to Dr. McOmber.... he said he wasn't really surprised that the LPA's % of pressure that it sends to the lungs had gone down again... Evan is growing - everything is growing except for that Left Pulmonary Artery - which is the same size since they stented it in Mar. 2006. He is not sure if it is time for another cath. so he is taking it to the board to get the other Dr.'s, especially Dr. Recto the angio specialist in our areas that did his stent, opinion. He said the reason for this would be to prevent Evan's health from ever being less than his 100%.... that we should not see Evan get worse b/c they are keeping on top of things with the tests/scans and caths. He also said this continious drop of 4-5% pressure a year is normal since his is growing and does not mean the conduit/valve replacement surgery is sooner than they originally hoped, that they still hope to hold off until his is larger and could possibly get an adult size with 1 final surgery - or who knows how technology could change before he needs that. That as long as they stay on top of it with scans and caths we can delay surgery and hope for a less invasive approach by the time it is required. He said he thinks Dr. Recto will want to do another cath. maybe not tomorrow but, maybe in 6 months or after next years scan and either dialate the stent or place a stent inside of the old stent expanding it... He said he would be talking to me later this week after he presents Evan's scan to the board at their weekly.

We spent a nice weekend together, playing T-Ball and going to the Circus. I had a not so nice ear infection and at my follow up for broncitis got more meds for that and also told broncitis had gone into pneumonia... Am I ever going to get over all of this??? Dr. said something about rest... drinking lots of fluids... staying out of the heat... I'm wondering if we live in the same town with how hot is has been and also if they have any children, LOL.

Vent. Scan 2008 Results

I just got the results last night, (was beginning to get worried that the hospital lost the test since they took so long to forward it to the cardio - oh how mad I was going to be, after what he went through if he had to do it again.) right before Evan's first T-Ball practice for the year, man it was so hot. I'm not sure what the results mean as another Dr. called and gave them to me b/c Dr. McOmber is on vaca. until Monday. The results were 80-20.... they were 85-15 before the stent and then the stent raised it to 71-29 and then last year is was 76-24. So... it has been worse - right before the stent in '06 but... they were concerned last year with the 76-24 and it is another 4%... seems to decrease on the left side 4-5% every year.... although they did a cath. last year and didn't do anything so maybe this will be okay... I really have no idea until I talk to Dr. McOmber.

This hasn't been the best of weeks for me.... I've been full of anxiety waiting on these results and now that I have them, I can't talk to Dr. M until Monday. We also got more upsetting news that the house we had held a contract open on since our house contract that fell through, in hopes that when our house eventually sold we could move in, asked us to release them from the on-going contract. I can't blame them as it has been since March but... disappointing for us. I know this means there is something better for us... that maybe this house wasn't meant for us, it is still hard once you set your heart on something.

This is also Eric's busy time of year and we practically haven't seen him since last Friday. We miss him and it is hard for Evan when he isn't home at night.

We have planned lots of family time this weekend! We are taking Evan to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus tomorrow!!!

He's Brave

I cannot tell you how proud this Mama is of my little Braveheart... I have had several talks with him this past week about how we go have this scan every year and that it is time again for it. He definately remembers it and remembers how the worst part is the Versed they shoot up his nose to calm him down before the IV and sedation. I told him that Dr. McOmber said that since he is so Brave, that he could do it without the yucky nose medicine but that he still would have to have 1 shot or IV but after that all he would have to do is stay still for the pictures and then we could do whatever we wanted the rest of the day instead of spending it trying to come off sedation. The first time we talked he cried but was sure he did not want any yucky Versed. He brought it up almost everyday and seemed to be handling it well. Thursday night Evan could not sleep and was complaining with his ear and started running a fever. We were up most the night and Fri. morning I was sure they would probably cancel the scan. His fever was so low we went ahead and took him. At Kosair they said that since he wasn't going to be sedated and his fever was so low they could go ahead with the scan. They looked at his veins to see if he could just receive the shot of nuclear med's but couldn't find a could enough vein to take it so they sent him for an IV. Let me tell you.... out of 4 nurses, 2 parents and 1 child - there was not a dry eye in the tiny room. As soon as they started looking for a vein he started saying, "I'm Brave... I'm Brave... I'm Brave...." After digging for a while, Evan looked over at the nurse that was giving the IV and said, "I'm Brave but, can I cry?" We all assured him that even Brave boys cry and continued through tears to let everyone know he was determined to be Brave. When she (finally) got the IV everyone cheered, included Evan - did high fives, hugs. At one point during the celebration a Dr. walked by the room and asked how many nurses it took and we all through tears laughed and told the Dr. that we were celebrating one Brave little boy. Evan walked with us back over to Nuclear Med. and talked the nurse, Monika's head off. She asked him to climb up on the table and she gave his straw (IV) a drink and then asked him to please lay still and not move and started Scooby Doo for him. Evan layed there and talked through the 15 min. scan without one complaint or movement. Once done with the scan we headed over to his pedi. since he was running a low temp. and he has an ear infection so we started antibiotics. He told all his pedi. Dr. friends about his bravery and they insured us a trip to the Zoo would be just fine to celebrate so, off we went. We had a beautiful day and enjoyed having the 3 of us together strolling through the zoo when normally we would still be at the hospital waking up from sedation. I actually stopped at the Immediate Care on the way home as I wasn't feeling so great and was given a shot and 2 med's for diagnosis of - horrible crazy allergies, sinus infection & broncitis, nothing like living in the Ohio Valley to keep a person with horrible crazy allergies sick.

Pic's are of Evan just outside the hospital in a log playhouse and then at the zoo. We will probably know the results of the scan on Monday.

Last Day of Pre-School & Vent Scan #4

I can't believe it, Evan's last day of his 1st year of preschool has come. I don't think he understands that he won't be going back for several months and that when he does he will not be in Ms. Tracy's class. I've told him this information but, I know he would be more upset if he really understood. He does get a sad look on his face when I told him this morning that this was his last day. Crazy for the kid who cried everyday the first couple of weeks. He never did make it through nap time, although I guess we didn't try, it just worked out for Mamaw to pick him up everyday right at naptime so maybe we'll try again next year. I wish I could slow down time and I'm glad he has 1 more year of preschool before kindegarden. I'm sure I'll be asked a kazillion times this summer if it is a school day, when do I go to school and I miss Ms. Tracy. Ms. Tracy - if you followed the link and miss Evan terribly during the summer give me a call, I'm sure my Mom would welcome the day off, LOL!

Next Friday Evan will be enduring his 4th Ventilation Profusion Scan at Kosair. For us this is a yearly deal due to that pesky narrowed left pulmonary artery. I hate having the test done, I hate waiting for the results and I hate when the results say we need a cath (which so far has been everytime.) There I got that out. Before Evan had a stent implementation in '06, the 1st Vent. Scan showed 85% pressure going to the right and 15% going to the left, after the stent it was R-71% & L-29%. Last Mar. it was R-76% and L-24%. They did another cath. last Apr. and decided that they would keep an eye on it but that Evan would definately need a conduit/valve replacement in the future but when in the future is unknown, even saying if we could wait until he was 10-12 he might be big enough for an adult size. Join us in prayer that the Doctors make the right decisions on when is the right time. For me... I pray the the %'s haven't changed much since last year and that a cath. isn't needed. Also pray for Evan, the hospital called today and b/c of his age and his cooperativeness the last few visits they would like to do the scan with no sedation. The less he is sedated the better but, I'm not sure he can handle the shot or IV of radioactive dye and not need sedation. Please pray for a wonderful nurse that gets him on the first stick and for us to be able to calm him (bribe him) into staying still on the table for the scan. I have a new webkinz on hand from his favorite girl, Olivia and a promised trip to the zoo up my sleeve for that day, any other suggestions.

Enjoy pic's of Evan's last day at school - one with the director who will be retiring and the other with his teacher.

I'm too old for Slumber Parties & Mother's Day

My BFF at work, Angie has 2 daughters and a little boy. Her little boy, Robert, is one of Evan's friends and they get to spend time together in the summer playing T-Ball and sometimes going to the zoo, swimming lessons and such. Evan likes Robert but, Evan (see his birthday pic's) LOVES Robert's sisters who are 10 and 13. We constantly have to tell Evan that he is NOT Olivia or Kristen's boyfriend and needs to leave them alone - he is always saying he wants to kiss them or take them on a date, oiy I have a ladies man on my hands. He even worries about his hair and clothes if he thinks he is going to get a chance to see them. They are very pretty girls and boy would I be lucky if it did work out but, I think he will run them off chasing after them! Angie's oldest daughter, Kristen, was turning 13 this weekend and Angie had decided to throw her a very special hotel/indoor waterpark birthday party and asked me to help her chapherone the party Sat. night. I was so happy to get a chance to do girly things and hang out with one of my BFF's for the evening. I think we had more fun than they did - we probably went down the waterslides 20 times! After the girls got over that we were NOT letting them run around the hotel or the lobby chasing after some *hot* guys they saw at the waterpark, they had fun too - all the way up to 4:30am Sun. morning, LOL!!! We didn't dare go to sleep before they did in fear of shaving cream. Thanks for sharing the fun Angie, Kristen and Olivia!!!

Evan and Eric picked me up Sun. morning and treated me to my favorite breakfast at Cracker Barrel - brought me the most beautiful bouquet that Evan made at school out of tissue paper and markers and the sweetest cards - toughie me even cried. We went home and took a lovely (and much needed) afternoon nap. My brother and his family treated me, my Mom and my brother's SIL and her family to a delicious dinner at their house where I was spoiled with Barbara Walters book, a pair of the most comfy socks, a bookmark and dark chocolate!!!

What was most special -

That I have the Best Mom in the World who taught me everything I know and whom I consider my very Best Friend - Mom, I Love You!!!

That when I look at Evan I know that I'm so lucky God chose me to be his Mommy.... I Love him with everything I am - even when he jumps off the chair into my Mom's curio and breaks the glass out - thank God he didn't get a scratch.

That I have a husband that let's me go spend a fun night with friends and makes Evan feel special having a guy's night so I don't worry about him missing me (too much) and who let's me know how much he appreciates me. Evan has been seeing Dominoes commercials and kept wanting some - I'm more of a Little Ceasars pizza kind of girl so on guys night they had Dominoes and went and saw the puppies!

Thanks for treating me and Mom to dinner Munc and family - you always know how to spoil us girls!

House on the market, Puppies and Kidney Stones, oh my!

That's what has been going on in our world the last few weeks. After 45 days of working with the couple that had a contract on our house and doing EVERYTHING they asked, they asked to be let out of the contract, ARGH!!! I know God has a perfect plan for us and although I do not know what that plan is or where he wants us, I'm praying and trusting his will. Our house is back on the market.

During my 'bout with strep throat the Dr. was concerned that my kidney had taken a hit due to the lack of fluids I had before finally getting to the Dr. Two weeks after I got over strep, I started having some lower abdominal pain which I passed off as regular monthly cramps. Days later and nothing else to blame the pains on I went back to the Dr. who did a few tests. The first was a pregnancy test and funny story, the Dr. came back in getting ready to do a full exam and asked the nurse if she had checked the results of the prego test and she said no. He said something else but, I didn't hear him. She came back in the room and said, yes it is. I about jumped off the table and said, "WHAT????" She replied, "what, it's negative, Dr. asked me before I walked out if it was negative and when I came back, I said, Yes it is." LOL.... I'm going to pay her back for that. The conclusion was that I needed further testing due to my families history of severe kidney stones. I have never had them. I went to the hospital on Monday and got a call later that I have several on the left and even MORE on the right, ARGH!! I go to the Urologist on Monday to decide if I need laser or if they can be passed, which I doubt since it has already been like 3 weeks.

With all that has been going on with me I feel I'm in the Refiner's fire but, I'm learning so much. Maybe this was the point of it all. That, I'm not the one in control of everything and definately not the best to be given that job. I'm learning Lord.... I want things to let up but, maybe he is not finished with me yet. Thankfully I'm still laughing at myself so that is a good thing! My husband says that these stones have given me attitude and I know everyone that knows me personally would agree that I'm usually a kind and quiet girl not this dramatic sarcastic girl I've been lately, LOL!

I'm posting pictures of Evan's Granny & Papaw Harry's new puppies - aren't they cute?

Hope everyone has a Happy Mother's Day!

Greatest Munc

We are still in the negotiating phase of the contract on our house and only have a week or so to get things done or the contract will be over. Thank you for your prayers - keep them coming.
I have learned a lot during this process, maybe that was the point. I worked myself up so much - to the point last week that everything crashed and I became very sick. I was in bed for 3 days - 2 of them with a fever of 103.8 - the absolute worse case of strep throat I've ever had. My anxiety always gets the best of me and I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned and am feeling at peace trusting that Jesus will makes things right and just what we need.

This Friday is my brother's birthday and we got to celebrate with him and his family this past Sunday. When I was feeling better late last week Evan and I went with my Mom shopping and Evan wanted to get Munc (his nickname for his Uncle Michael) a card just from him. He picked it out and was very excited. On Saturday we wrapped his gift and Evan got out his crayons and decorated the card and signed his name to it. He wanted me to find some stickers but, I couldn't find any other than the Hallmark sticker to close the envelope with - Evan wanted more so he asked for his crayons again and decorated the outside of the card. As he was coloring he said, "Mommy, this looks like scribbles, will Munc like it?" I answered of course that his coloring was beautiful. He continued to color and said, "For my Munc, the greatest Munc I've ever had!" With that he was done and handed the card over with a smile, knowing, especially after the story was shared that his card would be Munc's most beloved present.

Isn't he the cutest?

Continue to pray for us concerning the move... I'm hesitant to post more here because you just never know. Things are fine with the house we are looking at but the buyers on our house are the question. Just pray for God's will and peace for us.

Evan is continuing on this new sensitive phase of his. He has changed a lot the past few months. He seems shy - something that for any of you that really know him know that this is new. He also seems very very very sensitive. There have been lots of hurt feelings and tears lately. We were asked to attend a function at UofL's Dancethon to raise money for Kosair Childrens Hospital and we went with our heart group - Team Brave Hearts. 3 months ago Evan would have been up there dancing his boody off with all those sorority girls - this time he cried and clung to my leg and Eric or I held him the first 1/2 hr. we were there. He did loosen up a bit later and finally allowed the face paint lady to paint a batman on him. Any of you hear about the Singulair scare? His doctors called and asked if I had noticed a change in his behavior since he was put on it (back a few months ago when he was diagnosed w/ Asthma) and I said yes, but probably for other reasons (the move, the Easter Story) and he said to take him off of it anyway. SO..... now we are dealing with a very boggery nose too.

Check out this picture taken of Evan this evening... isn't he wonderful? He has some long lashes.

Please pray for our heart friend Elijah (see link to right) and drop a message and let his Mama and Daddy know your joining them in prayer for his surgery next week.