Clear MRI!! ..... and a new bicycle

Miss Michele lets us draw on the sheets while waiting for our turn in the "donut" - MRI machine - she drew Ryan a parking lot and a race track - Daddy named it and added a "UT redneck" in the stands - Miss Michele said he had on the wrong shirt because it had sleeves - :) - all in fun, not offend anyone.



We praise Him for Ryan's clear MRI ...... after you get those words you are completely overcome and overwhelmed emotionally ..... I think I always try to explain the emotional roller coaster ride that these are for us but really - I don't think you can explain it to those who haven't been there. Everyone is always excited and celebrating, congratulating Ryan - he just looks at us all like we've completely lost our minds .... I'm so thankful my baby doesn't "get it" - he doesn't understand the importance of these MRI's - I love how Ryan lives as if this is all over and done with - what a gift from God and a lesson we need to learn from him- one of our favorite nurses, Michele says Ryan has the heart of lion and the wisdom of an old man - I am so blessed to be this little guys momma! Ryan was awesome all day long - never once asked for food or drink - thank you for praying!! Ryan was very happy to see Mr. Brad from Treehouse (church) - he came to visit for a few minutes - Ryan loves Treehouse and is always telling us about Mr. Brad and Mr. Allen - Mr. Jason - thank you for checking in on us too - I'm so thankful for our church family at Long Hollow - I love that my children love to go to church. Of course, Addie was in good hands with the Robbins family (love you all) - they have three teenage girls and Addie is in heaven when she is with them.

Please keep our sweet Kennedy in your prayers - she had a terrible day as we were all scanning together - Kennedy recently finished chemo for leukemia - we praise Him for the wonderful news of her blood counts looking good! Kennedy has Down Syndrome so she has a really special place in our hearts - all children with Down Syndrome have x-rays of their necks at age 3 to check for atlantoaxial instability - well, Kennedy's came back abnormal so they sent her for a CT - what a nightmare for her and her sweet mom Renee - she came early that morning expecting to be there for a few hours (she also had a her 9 month old son with her) - there was talk about immediate surgery because her spinal cord was being "pinched" - they did end up sending them home, but it seems that the doctor who made that call most likely made the wrong decision - now she will have an MRI to see more clearly what is going on. On top of all of this, Frank, Kennedy's dad is in Afghanistan - beleive me when I say this family has their plate full and overflowing!!! Please pray that Kennedy gets the right doctor and that this is taken care of quickly - we would love for Kennedy to NOT need surgery for this, but if she needs it, we want the right surgeons for this sweet girl. Please keep this family in your prayers - Frank is away from his family when they desperately need him so that you and I can lie down at night and sleep in safety. You can keep up with Kennedy throug her carepage - kennedygarcia
The one good thing about that day - Rob and I got to love on her precious baby brother - Keeghan - he was the BEST little guy and so adorable!!

Ryan also saw the eye doctor this week - he says we will give him about 3 more months then we are looking at surgery to correct his eye sometime this summer. Now, about the new bicycle ....
the Rotary Club here in Sumner County gives away a new bike each month to a student who shows good character and good citizenship - Ms. Shannon, Ryan's teacher, wrote the sweetest note about Ryan and the Rotary Club chose him to win the new bike!!! It was emotional for all of us and we were so thrilled for him. Addie was chosen a couple of years ago and I remember Ryan having a hard time with her getting this new bike - he would ask me over and over if he would get a bike when he went to school - I told him he would have to work really hard, show kindness to everybody and that maybe he would - I remember thinking that he didn't understand that his sister was "special" and had to work so much harder than he ever would to do all that she does - well, I never imagined that he would one day have to overcome all that he has overcome - by the grace of God.... Ms. Shannon said he didn't get the bike because of all that he's been through, but because of sweet spirit and his strong character - later I will post pictures and the letters that were written about Addie and Ryan. Mrs. Swafford went out and bought cupcakes that day to celebrate the clear MRI and the bike - I've said it before, but I gotta say it again - Howard School is the best!!!!

Addie and Ryan - momma loves you so much - what a gift that God has allowed me to be your momma - I take no credit for the precious individuals that you are becoming - I see God at work in your life everyday and I know that it is His spirit that shines from within each of you.

Rob and I did have a really nice weekend away - Opryland Hotel is so beautiful!! Thanks again Uncle Keith and Chris for that incredible gift!!

Also - our friend Matthew's scans are clear - praise Him!!!!

Thank you for sticking this out with us - Ryan's next scan will be in May - thank you for continuing to pray for his healing - we love you all.