Never a dull moment!

There's never a dull moment in our house! I think Collin has decided to signal handily keep the medical profession in demand! wink! Collin was hopping (crawling) and his arms gave out and he went head first onto our hard wood floors VERY HARD. His fang tooth went in the back of his lip and went through to the front. So, yup you guessed it another trip to the see the wonderful Docs! Oh goodness... I don't even think I would know what to do if there wasn't something happening all the time. wink!

So tonight I will leave you with a poem that I love!!! A very sweet friend that we made in this awful world of illness shared this with me. She lost her battle to stomach cancer but she was an AMAZING young woman that truly lived her life this way!

Because I call it a Challenge

BECAUSE I CALL IT A CHALLENGE RATHER THAN A CRISIS;

BECAUSE I LOOK AT HARDSHIP AS OPPORTUNITY INSTEAD OBSTACLE;

BECAUSE AT THE END OF A MATTER,I ASK, "WHAT WILL I LEARN FROM THIS TO MAKE ME BETTER?";

BECAUSE I TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND DO THE DIFFICULT THING FIRST;

BECAUSE MY COURAGE DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE WEATHER, THE ECONOMIC FORECAST OR THE WINDS OF WHIM;

BECAUSE I KNOW THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ELEMENTS IN MY DAY ARE LAUGHTER, LEARNING AND APPLYING MY FINEST EFFORTS TO EACH ENDEAVORS;

BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS EACH MORNING IS A PLEASURE AND EVERY DAY PASSED IS A SUCCESS-----MARY ANNE RADMACHE

Maw and Paw

The only good thing about Collin getting sick is that it usually brings family into town. My wonderful Dad and step-mom packed up their car and drove all the way from Texas to check on Collin. My Dad called me on Wednesday to let me know that they would be coming. What a wonderful surprise for an awful week!! Collin went through so many horrible things. I will not even go into all of it. It is truly heart breaking to even think of it. He is such a special and strong little boy. OH, I am so lucky!!! It was so wonderful having them here with us this past weekend. The second Collin saw his Paw he had a smile on his face that was constant the entire weekend. He was just the medicine that he needed…. Ok, the medicine and pick me up that I needed as well! Thank you again for coming out here to check on us!! We love y’all so much!!!!

LOVING every second of his smile!

Collin gave us a real scare. So, seeing him happy, well, and smilling.... well just can't beat it!

Collin's first time on the slip n slide (ever) and he LOVED it!!!

Playing on the roller coaster at Nana and Pa Pa's house!

Today we took Maw and Paw to the Aquaruim!! Collin was so happy to be there with them!!!

I feel so blessed that Collin is feeling better!!! .. and loving every second of his smile!

FREE GIVE AWAY!!!!

WINNER!!! And the winner is.... Post 1 Amy Thompson!! She was chosen by random by a sweet four year old. "Regan pick a number 1, 2, or 3." So, number one won over!




To celebrate Collin feeling better I thought I would have a FREE give away!! Here's what you have to do. Go to my ETSY site http://www.littledivamom.etsy.com/ Check out the awesome sale that I am having on Hair bows, buy one get the second half off. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post about what you thought of the site. Be brutally honest!! wink!! Then I will randomly pick a winner from the posts and the winner will be able to pick 2 bows from these cute hair bows below!! This fun give away will end on Monday night when I pick the winner. So, hurry up and pass this on to all of your friends!!! Good Luck!!

update on our little man

Little man is doing better. Last night he received a blessing from his daddy. (Thanks Brian and mark!) His fever has broke and he is starting to look better. They are still not sure as to what this was... who knows if they ever will. It could have just been something very small that most kids could handle with no problem but Collin on the other hand not so much! Since he has a life threatening illness and a weakened immune system it doesn't take much to do this to him. This week has been terrifying, long, and again has shown me how incredibly strong Collin is. Thank you for your love and support. THANK YOU for the prayers!! I have a firm testimony in the power of prayer. Thank you!!! I will post latter about this week but for now... he is slowly.. very slowly looking up!

Prayers needed

Collin has only gotten worse over the past few days. Last night he had a very high temp that we could not break, his hair fell out (one thing that happens with TTD), and he was in lots of pain. I had to take him back in again this morning. We are waiting for the blood and urine work up to let us know what is going on with our sweet little boy. Most likely it is an infection some where but it isn't any where obvious. Please pray that the doctors will be able to figure this out so that we can treat it.
Thank you,
Julie

My day summed up in 1's

I thought I would some up my day today in 1's. So, here it goes!

The number of hours of sleep that I received last night 1. (Collin was up in pain all night.)











1 tiny little cold or allergies that took over his body

1 sweet little boy that was breaking my heart as he had tears rolling down his face in his sleep.

1 pirate water party at our house that had to be canceled. (sorry guys!)

1 Doctor appointment that had to be made.

1 wonderful Nana that took Regan for the day

























1 plate of chocolate cookies baked at Nana's house.





















1 new medication the doctor prescribed for him.

1 car seat that had to be cleaned after Collin starting having seizures and threw up all over it.


























1 afternoon of constant seizures and vomiting.

1 does of Diastat (Valium) that I had to inject in my sweet little boy to stop them.


















1 wonderful husband that came home early from work to relieve my two cramping arms.

1 trip to Target with Regan to pick up medications.

1 good night story for Regan.























1 sweet little sister that is so great to her brother when he isn't feeling well. When she came home she kept saying "It's ok Bubba sissy is here!"























1 sweet and amazing little boy that has such an amazing tolerance for pain. Having to watch his little body go through so much is torture. These episodes are only getting worse and they terrify me.

























1 basket of laundry sitting on my sofa that needs to be folded (throw up laundry :( )

















1 very tired mommy that needs to go to bed! (yes, I know this is an awful pic. note the dark circles under my eyes! wink!)

















Thank you to everyone that helped out today and kept calling to check on Collin. We were able to keep him out of the hospital this time and for that we are very grateful!

1 more day that I was able to spend with my sweet angel!!!

The love of a sister!

The love of a sibling is such a powerful thing. I have such an amazing support system in my brother and sisters. I know at any time I can call them and they will be there for me. Despite being miles and miles apart I always feel them close. Most of my best childhood memories has one of my siblings in it.

The other day when I was picking Collin up from school this subject came up. There is a sweet sister who comes to school with her brother when the nurse can not come. Her WONDERFUL mother has adopted eight children with disabilities. The teacher and I were telling her what an amazing sister she is and how lucky John is to have her. Then I looked over at Regan playing on the ground with another one of his classmates. I then looked at the sister and asked her “Do you ever wish it was different?” Yes, I know a silly question but this was the hardest part for Jason and I when we decided to have another child… the burden that they would have to carry. She replied “No, not for a second.. Look at her.” while pointing to Regan. “Do you think she would be that compassionate to a “special” child if it weren’t for her brother. I am happy that I don’t know any different.” I was so grateful for her answer. I knew what she would say because she is so devoted and loving to her siblings but I needed to hear it from a sister that has been doing it for twenty years and wouldn’t change it.

When I got home I started watching my sweet kids together. Regan has been VERY affectionate with Collin this week. She is such an amazing sister. She has stepped up to this very hard and demanding role with such a sweet spirit and love for her brother. I can’t believe that I ever questioned what it would do to a future child to be Collin’s sibling. It took us four years to have another child. One because TTD is genetic and two because we were afraid of the burden they would be handed the to them day that they came into this earth. I can not believe that I ever questioned what Collin’s sibling would be like. She is learning to live and love from a perfect example. Collin truly is the definition of the true love of Christ.

Collin's new walker

Collin's new walker!! I have had several people ask me when I was going to put up pictures of Collin's new walker and here they are! Yes, Collin is wearing a "child leash". I hate them BUT Collin is a runner. If he gets the chance he will take off and just keep on going. This is walker is the perfect size for him. He is still getting used to it. His other walker was so small and he had out grown it a while ago and got used to walking with it. The only big problem, one that we have always had, he walks with his head up. He never looks where he is going. Regan loves his walker as well. She likes to push it and ride it through the dinning room or sit on it as a chair to watch tv. As for Collin's old walker, we decided to find someone that we could donate it to. If we could save someone the trouble that we have had to go through ever time then what a blessing. The only thing is that his first walker is TINY. We were not sure that we would find a child that could use it. Well, we met a sweet boy this summer that is in Collin's summer school class. He is a LP (little person) and he is so tiny. We brought it the other day to see if he could use it. He took off!!! When I told his mom that she could have it. She got tears in her eyes. I love it when we get the chance to pass it on!!!! Don't ever pass up a opportunity to pass it on! A friend's father is going to trip out his new walker. Last time we had it painted red ... I am not sure what we will do this time. It is always nice when you know someone who works with a custom body shop!! wink!!