Some People...

Guess what time of year it is... Did you guess right?!

COLD and FLU SEASON!

So this morning during Hailey's therapy appointment our pediatricians office called to inform me that she had not had a "well child check" since 2009... WHOA. Ummmm...if you know us, you KNOW that we are at the pediatricians office at least once a month. It ended up being that we only go for med checks or sick checks...not the "well child check". I disagree with it, but love their office so I am over it already. While we were there Dr. T told us that we should probably go ahead and get their flu shots bc he has already treated 4 cases this month - which is A LOT this early in the season. He did say that we should expect a pretty sucky flu season...so just know I warned you all! ;) However - Hailey and Logan were HIGHLY upset bc when we left the house this morning there was no mention of doctors appointments and shots in the rundown. My children require a little warning about these things - and they cooperate perfectly as long as they know what's coming! So needless to say they were both pretty ticked off that they had to get their shots. It was sad!

So after all of the drama, crying, and playing with our pediatricians dog...they were better and we went and grabbed a bite to eat. The lady sitting behind us was finishing up her meal and came over to our table and handed each one of them a gift certificate and told them to get a treat - she said that she was doing her "daily act of kindness" and the only thing she asked was for them to pass the act of kindness along! How sweet!!!

After lunch we went over to check out the new Kroger Marketplace (which is kinda nice) and we bought a bouquet of flowers. We decided that we would pick out someone that was finished shopping and Hailey and Logan would give them the flowers and tell them it was their "act of kindness." Sooooo.....they picked out this lady who had finished loading up her few items and was taking back her cart. They went up to her and said "These flowers are for you!!!" super excited and before they could say anymore... this lady goes off on them about how she doesn't want their flowers and she has "HER OWN FLOWERS AT HOME THAT SHE LIKES JUST FINE" with complete rudeness. (I kinda wanted to take those flowers and shove them...) The cart boy saw it happened and he acknowledged how sweet and thoughtful it was. I wished him a great day and told him that he was appreciated! Well anyways...we ended up stopping at my moms office and giving them to her - because she would appreciate those flowers and she will pass on the act of kindness! However, I am STILL in shock that a woman who looked so nice could be so completely RUDE to my children. I will say a prayer for her...

I guess the moral of this post is to please pass on an act of kindness!  You don't have to spend any money - you can pick up someone's keys if they drop them, get something off of a high shelf for a little old lady, or simply give someone a compliment! And if you happen to come across that same rude lady - or someone similar - say a prayer for them!

Have a wonderful weekend! :) 

Typical Parenting Challenges...I think?!

It's been one of those weeks that I just need a break - or better yet - a vacation. If it's not been one thing it's another! Don't get me wrong...I adore all 3 of my children...but there is always something not going right! Now...I'm not sure if it is having an odd number of children that someone is always left out, or if it's their ages currently: 10, 7, and 5. Could it be that we have been so busy focusing on one child (LOGAN) and not the other two enough? Or the fact that we are so busy all of the time that we just don't get enough quality time together as a family (with Neil working all of the time)?! Whatever it may be...it's stressful!

The typical day this week has consisted of the girls waking up (at least an hour before they "normally" do), arguing over who gets the bathroom, who has who's uniforms, who get's to open the door (yes - it's really that silly), who get's into the van first...then it's onto who forgot something inside the house! On the way to school they like to argue about who sings what song is on the radio and we cannot forget that "that's not even how the song goes..." Then I get annoyed and turn off the radio. By this time we are at the school and I try my best to change my annoyed attitude and sincerely wish them a great day, give genuine hugs and kisses, and wave good bye...with a small sigh of relief that I will have somewhat of a peaceful 7 hours as long as Logan is in the right mood. Then they come home starving, tired, and grouchy... Dinner and bedtime just seems like it's forever away and cannot come soon enough.

I think as of today we are starting a new routine. This school year we have allowed the girls to go to bed an hour later, however, I think we are going to move it back (at least for Gracie) because I don't think she is getting enough sleep (although I am not sure how this will effect her already waking up early?!). I am also going to try getting everyone back on a scheduled dinner and bath routine. There has just been a lot of slack on my part lately being over tired...so I am NOT blaming all of the craziness solely on them! ;) We are helping my sweet and VERY pregnant sister and her husband pack and move this week.

This coming week I have to set up Hailey Grace's therapy for her ankle and she will go twice a week and then we have Logan's PT, OT, and Speech... Neil has to go back on the 24 hour ambulance to help cover one of his coworkers who is having surgery and I have NO idea when we will see him. He will also still be covering his 12 hour shifts on his normal ambulance as scheduled and working his scheduled days at the jail...not to mention he is also in school full-time going for his Master's degree in healthcare management!

What have been your challenges this week?!

Silly Conversation!

As we were driving in the car running errands this is the conversation that transpired between Logan and myself:

Logan: "Mom...what was that girls name?"

Me: "What girl?"

Logan: "You know...that girl at the pool?"

Me: "But there were lots of girls at the pool...which one?"

Logan: "You know mom...the one that had the floaty things on her arms that was there first (beginning to get frustrated because obviously I should know who he is talking about.)

Me: (Not having a clue which "girl" he is talking about) Yyyyyeah....Vaguely?!

Logan: "Ohhhh! That was her name?!?!"

This boy never ceases to bring a smile to my face or a laugh when I least expect it! Love it!

A Mansion...

As I was lying with Logan on the couch this evening he nonchalantly says to me "Mom, I want to build a mansion." So I reply with "Well...what would you do with all of that space?" He then goes on to tell me about how he would take all of our stuff and put it into *his* mansion. He would make sure that he brings everyone. He would have all of the toys in the world there. All the kids in the world could come and play with his toys. He said that he would share *everything*.

My boy is so sweet. It's nights like this that cuddling on the couch and listening to him dream big dreams that I realize my life is so full of blessings and pure joy. His innocence and love for others is just amazing. I am thankful that there are times like this with each one of my children that I get to hear their stories and dreams. I want nothing more than to help my children accomplish each and every single thing they set out to do in life. I will always be their #1 fan, their shoulder to cry on, their encouragement when life is tough.

I am thankful that my parents have shown this same unconditional love and support for me through all the ups and downs of my life. They have been so supportive and helpful when I have needed it most. These past few months have been absolutely crazy...from Emily's seizures that hospitalized her for a week (then all of the testing that followed and the finding that she had a cyst on her brain), Hailey Grace having broken her ankle 4 times in less than a year, and then all of Logan's medical issues (muscle issues, 1 kidney, heart issues, adhd, developmental delays, etc). My parents have been there to watch kids, shuffle kids, pick up kids, etc. If my parents had not done the exceptional job they did to mold me into the person I am today...I am not sure I could have held my composure! I might have just fallen apart. I try to take all of this in stride and keep a positive outlook and a smile on my face.

Neil's mom, my mother-in-law, has also been a HUGE blessing. She also watches the kiddos, fills in Neil's spot at appointments when he cannot go, and helps pick up/bring things when needed. She always reminds me that God has a plan...I just love her!

 I guess tonight I am reflecting on all of the blessings that God has poured over our family...some people might think that every thing that has happened doesn't seem like a blessing at all, but there is a reason; a plan, for everything that happens. God has placed these little people and big people in our lives and each and every one of them have a purpose greater than we know!

Pretty soon we will be headed down to Riley to meet with Dr. W (on Halloween) to see what our next steps with Logan will be. I am a little scared. I just want to find what is causing his muscles to lose their tone and coordination. Then in November we are meeting with the urologists and cardiologists down at St. Vincent's. I pray for an answer - peace of mind - a plan.

I am pretty sure that my life is like a mansion. It's big, it's complicated, and it's full of the things I love the most! Thanks for taking the time to read our blog! :)

Much Love,
Autumn!

Logan's Medical Update:

September 1st was a busy day for Logan, Neil, and myself. We had our appointment with the neurologist, but prior to that Logan went through the kindergarten special needs evaluation. The ladies conducting these tests were extremely pleasant! We first visited with an OT -- she did several tests and fun stuff with him. That lasted about an hour. Next he was evaluated by a PT -- she played ball with him, physically evaluated him, and it was pretty simple...I think that lasted about 30 minutes. Logan then fell asleep in their office while we were chatting. We allowed him to take about a half an hour nap before the final portion of the evaluation by the psychologist. This was by far the longest test of the three. It lasted almost 2 hours. He put puzzles together, played memory games, etc. At the end of the psychological evaluation she informed us that Logan is one of the smartest little guys she has ever had the pleasure of evaluating! :) This made Neil and I very happy! She then told us that she thought he is definitely ready for Kindergarten as far as his IQ is concerned!

Before I get to the next part of the findings I want to tell you a little history (if you don't read this blog regularly). I am a HUGE WORRIER. I have been so stressed and went to the doctor because I am so scared that something may happen to my children, my family, friends, etc. I seriously couldn't live with myself if something were to happen! I also witnessed a horrible wreck (I will not go into detail, but it was BAD and I got out to help) directly in front of our vehicle as we were driving to South Carolina to pick up my brother from his National Guard basic graduation...ever since then I have been super scared to get into a car, super scared for my kiddos and all the medical issues, and just have a lot of anxiety in general. When I went to my family doctor and explained this to her she told me something that I will never forget: The things we "worry" about aren't necessarily the things worth worrying about. The tragic things that happen aren't usually what that person was worrying about. In other words -- worrying isn't going to change what is going to happen. It will probably just be something you forgot to worry about that ends up happening...or something that never even crossed your mind.

I thought about this conversation when the State Fair events happened with the Sugarland Concert. I bet those innocent people never once thought that they were going to be severely injured, mentally scarred, or killed that day. I bet they were excited to be going to the concert, excited to be spending time with friends and family they loved, enjoying the "break" from their every day lives, and even more excited that they were in the front row! I bet this tragedy never once crossed their minds...never once did they think that these events would happen and change their lives forever.

Now onto the next part of our day -- we had an appointment with the Neurologist to discuss their findings from the blood work, EEG, EKG, Echo, and the 4 MRI's that he had. NOTHING was found in his smart little brain! She said that his brain looked excellent! This was a tremendous thing for Neil and I to hear. Our pediatrician and PT (not to mention Neil and I) were concerned that it was a neurological problem affecting his muscles. The MRI showed that that is NOT the case. Praise God!

We were then informed that Logan only has one kidney and they are sending us down to Riley to meet with a pediatric urologist asap. They were closed over the long weekend so I am awaiting their call today. Logans kidney is shaped like a horseshoe and located in the middle of his back...not where you would normally find the kidneys -- or in his case -- a kidney.

They found a nerve blockage in his heart and also discovered that he has a hole in his heart. I haven't done the research, but from what I understand a lot (if not all...im not sure) of kids are born with a hole and they usually close on their own. Logan's never closed and they are only concerned because he has the hole PLUS the nerve blockage and his pulse is REALLY low. Not in a normal range...however, get this...they cannot get him in until November 16! So this tells me that his heart issues surely cannot be emergent! We will be headed down to Riley to see the pediatric cardiologist on the 16th.

Then, last but not least, there is the main muscle issue that is still present...still unexplained. Dr. K mentioned to us that she feels that he needs to go to Riley and see Dr. W who specialized in neurogenetics. She said that he will probably do a muscle biopsy and and EMG. I just got off the phone with the nurse they are trying to work in him in as soon as possible. I will keep you updated on that!

He had his OT, PT, and Speech therapies yesterday. His speech went great! His OT went well also, but she is concerned with his shoulder muscles and how he compensates when using his arms. They tried some kind of tape that for the life of me I cannot remember the name of... Anyway this tape goes on each side of his neck and down his shoulders, and he also has two pieces on his belly that go from just under his nipples down to his lower abdomen. I wish I could tell you more about that, but I don't really understand how it works!!! It is supposed to help his muscles in his tummy work harder. He wears it for 3 days then gets 3 days off. I will inform you more on this next week. His PT was still stumped. He is still regressing. His core and legs are just like jello. No matter how hard they are working him, it just isn't doing what it needs to do. His endurance is also decreasing. :( Boo!

Sorry for this LONG post. If I had updated sooner it wouldn't have been near this long, but I couldn't find the words, time, or energy to do it. The day I found out about Logan's kidney and heart I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I didn't really even talk to my family about it because I was SO upset! I have come to terms with everything and now feel optimistic. I know that God won't give me anything more than I can handle and I know that no matter how difficult this seems...He has a plan. One day I will look back on these words and think "Man -- that was a CRAZY time in our lives!" But for now I am going to cuddle my precious boy and let him know that mommy loves him more than anything -- because he is SO special!

Thanks guys for being supportive and always being there for all of us! If you could please say a prayer for my sweet little guy and also the urologist, neurologist, neurogeneticist, cardiologist, and his pediatrician.

Autumn