Something to think about.....
This is NOT much of an update...BUT....Something to think about.....

When you spend a lot of time at a hospital you encounter things WE all don't realize happen daily...
No one knows really what they would do if they were to be put in a situation were there child was so sick that you had to actually think about comfort measures and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)...and should we go home or stay at the hospital!

I will be honest I have thought about ....what I think I might do if put in the above situation (but only briefly) ....this is not really something that I particularly like to dwell on ....because it is so painful.... I was even asked a couple months ago if I have considered if Avery would be a DNR....

My response was that it would be something that Joe and I have to pray about and it would be something that was not taken lightly....and it would likely be a situation by situation decision ;at this time in his life.

Although we have now been home about 10 or so days I am reflecting some;over this past admission.;and things I was able to experience!

What are you doing things for ??
Who are you living for??
Is it for the Glory of God??
DO you Praise HIM in your trials and Storms?


We saw upfront...a family that had to make very difficult decisions for a 2 year old little girl that had inoperable brain tumors.....she was diagnosed last Nov and they did everything known to man that they could do...The last couple months the mom made the decision to stop treatment(which I'm sure wasn't easy)....she wanted to enjoy the time she would have with her little girl outside the walls of the hospital .So for a couple months they visited many many zoos, went to Disney ,went to Chicago ...and just spent the time as a family making memories; that will likely last this family a lifetime.
I can't imagine being an 18 year old mother making those hard hard decisions(Okay I did have to make decisions for Andrew when I was a young 18year old ;but...not to that degree anyway)...but she did.She knew her daughter would not live to see another Birthday, so she was selfless enough to use the time with her daughter in a way, some of us more experienced parents wouldn't think to do .... She also has another little baby (5 months old); that she has had to take care of.
In the few times I have spoken to this mother she has always struck me as a strong young women...who loves her little girl and cares about others.I was very touched when she asked me on more than one occasion how my son was. Here she was making comfort measure decisions for her daughter;asking me how my son is....WOW.....

The way the staff and nurses all comforted this family touched me....
Little Mia died during our admission and just a few doors down from us....She was surrounded by her family and is no longer in any pain.
Please pray that God gives her family peace,comfort strength during this very difficult time in their lives,pray for the staff as they face seeing children they grow to love die;right before their eyes.
I was also touched that Mia's mom came back to the hospital just a week after and made it a point to stop in and "Thank me "....can you even imagine...Thank me ...for what ?? I gave her a card...a card ......just a card...ohh how I would have loved to be there for her at her daughters service,but I guess a card meant something.So don't ever underestimate the meaning of words or a simple card.

God gives you strength when you don't think you have any left....So it doesn't matter that this young mom is so young,we could learn a lesson or two from her....She's amazing;I believe that it is God who has given her the strength!
I am Thankful God placed her in my path I will never forget my 18th Anniversary ...that is when little Mia died and entered the Kingdom with her Father in Heaven. I have learned so much from meeting this young family & the decisions they had to make... God places people in your path for reasons you may not know at the time.

Something that sticks out in my mind as I type this, is words to a powerful song by:Casting Crowns "I will Praise You in this Storm "

Is it important to just be thankful for the storms in life???
I think so...
Will it be easy?? ....Probably not, but was being nailed to a cross easy?!

God will get you through it..SO Praise him; always..and Walk by Faith NOT by sight!

God has allowed me to see and experience what others are facing for a reason...I'm not sure if it's for me to be an encouragement for them or a sign from God that I need to realize what I myself may face one day.....I certainly hope it's the first one.....but if it's the second ...."I will Not worry for tomorrow;for tomorrow will worry for itself"I pray God will allow me to Praise HIM in the Storms and shine HIS light to others!

Sometimes just thinking about things that are painful and knowing God will carry you ...makes it less painful.....


Little update>>
Avery was on the neurology/epilepsy floor for almost 2 weeks.....after his big episode at Chldren's the morning after we were a admitted! He had a few more episodes that required emergency medication, while at the hospital .

NOW...Home for 10 or so days ....At this time his seizures are MUCH better..Praise God!!
Although he is on A LOT of medication ,we are working to find a balance...with medication there is always side effects,and his meds cause sleepiness(along with many others ,but here's this one) We want a child who has the best quality of life.. every day ...so having him sleep a lot is not a great quality of life ...He has been more awake these past few days ...but still lots to work on;and many other issues being addressed....which we are doing.
I will update in a later BLOG entry....

If you could keep us in your prayers as the home school year is upon us.I have STILL so much catch up and so much to do and send into the town....

Andrew goes into his fifth year at the LABBB collaborative this Thursday ...

Pray for Joe and I....just cause we can always use prayers!

I hope you ALL have a Blessed Sunday !!

Remember ...if you have something painful/hard to think about....It is God who has already thought about it and knows the end result... and ...HE will and is there FOR YOU Always!!