Home Sweet Home

Ryan is home - seems to be very tired, but overall I think he is doing really well. He called me around lunch time and said "Mommy - I'm free!!". Meaning .... he had the needle out, no more tape all over his little chest, and no IV pole to drag around. We are very glad to be home and so fortunate our stays aren't very long each time .... please say a prayer tonight for the precious children who are stuck there day after day! I learned that the child who had been discharged from our room had been there for I believe they said over two months ... so incredibly hard for these kids and their families! Thank you for your many prayers .... they are being answered.

I forgot to mention that we did get away for a few days during Addie's spring break - we went to Gatlinburg. The kids had a great time - it was a bit chilly, but we bundled up and enjoyed our time together. We went to Dollywood on the warmest day - that was so much fun! It wasn't crowded at all and the kids could just ride everything over and over - perfect day. Ryan wanted to go "hiking" - so we did get out a little and let him throw rocks in the water, etc. - definitely all boy. It was actually snowing - little flurries while we were out. Rob and Ryan went to the Dinosaur Museum - Rob says you are really missing something if you don't go - hee, hee! Actually they really enjoyed their time - Addie and I stayed behind and enjoyed the heated indoor pool. The pictures I have posted are some that Ryan took and wanted to share with everyone - he had a great time! I know many of you prayed that this trip would work out for our family - praise Him as He heard and made the way for us to go!

Thanks to all of you who continue to provide meals and just take care of our family - these acts of kindness do not go unappreciated. Your e-mails, comments left on the blog, voicemails - provide great encouragement - I read and listen to them over and over on days that I feel really alone. I wish I could respond to each one - but know that they minsiter to me in so many ways. I even have some saved from the first week of Ryan's dx - they just bring me comfort many days. Many of you ask what can you do - I am not very good at really asking for help (a pride thing - I know), but a small thing that you could do (actually it's a HUGE thing for Ryan) is simply send him a card - he absolutely loves getting mail!! I hate to even say this, but he especially loves getting mail that has nickels, dimes, quarters, or dollars taped in it - he actually gets more excited about that, than if he gets a $10 dollar bill. He loves just plain old cards too - as I remind him that every card comes with many, many prayers for him - he simply loves to get mail. This is very hard for me to even put on this site - but when I see his excitement every time he gets a card - it makes me so happy for him. We moms like to see our children happy :). Many of you do this ..... and it means more to me than you will ever know ........

Hope you all are enjoying a very good weekend with your families ..... take care of each other!