"Getting ready for the big adventure"
"Time for a mid-trip float down the river....boy, is it COLD!!!"
"The beautiful rainbow at the end of the day"
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Floating Through Life
There is nothing that can relieve my stress better than a great day of floating down a freezing cold river on a 100 degree day! Miss Emma went to the babysitter, and Tim and I set out on a great adventure with some of our wonderful friends. It could not have been more perfect! This summer has been so much more carefree than the last 2 summers, and we are enjoying every minute of it!!!
"Getting ready for the big adventure"
"Time for a mid-trip float down the river....boy, is it COLD!!!"
"The beautiful rainbow at the end of the day"
"Getting ready for the big adventure"
"Time for a mid-trip float down the river....boy, is it COLD!!!"
"The beautiful rainbow at the end of the day"
Treasured moments
It is true that we really never know when we will see someone for the last time. It is easy for us to say that we need to cherish every moment, and appreciate all of the people in our lives (although at times it is so difficult to see the good in someone...it is always there). Yes, it is easy for us to "say" this, but to actually live the way that we "should" live is another story.
Over the last week I have found myself reminessing about our first medical experiences with Emma. I remember the first time that we came back from Denver...after being in the hospital for a month. People were trying to comfort us, and I remember many people saying that famous saying that "God doesn't give you more than you can handle". It made me so angry. I was not this strong. The other favorite that people would say is, "Everything happens for a reason". Well, please tell me the reason that God chose our daughter to have medical difficulties!!
However, as I look back on the last two years, I am finally seeing all of the GOOD things that have come from our medical experiences. There are so many treasured moments. Here is the one that is at the forefront of my mind right now. I have found one of my best friends through my "medical mom" experience. Her name is Becky, and I met her at an Organ Donor Awareness walk last September. Her little boy Louie has become one of Emma's best buddies. Louie had a heart transplant, and he was later found to have a mitochondrial disorder. I have to say that Becky is the most amazing mother that I have ever known. No matter what she has encountered with Louie, she has continued to hold him, love him, and be the very best advocate that she ever could be. She has helped me to be a better mother.
Three weeks ago today we met for doctors apointments in another town, and we stayed in a hotel with our kids. We took the kids swimming, ate pizza, drank wine, and talked until late at night. It was just what we ALL needed. The moment that I will always treasure is watching Louie swim. He had lost so much of his strength with his battle with his mitochondrial disorder, but in the water he HAD the freedom to move, and he loved it. I will always remember the pride that shone on Becky's face! There was a very special bond between those two!
One week later I received the call. I knew when I heard Becky's voice that Louie had gone to join Jesus, and my heart ached for her. I feel so fortunate to have known Louie, and to have shared his life. Emma was blessed to have such a wonderful friend. As I look back, our medical times have been heart wrenching, but without them I would not be who I am today, and I would not have found this friendship that will remain with me for the rest of my life!!
Godspeed Little Louie!
Louie and his Mommy
Over the last week I have found myself reminessing about our first medical experiences with Emma. I remember the first time that we came back from Denver...after being in the hospital for a month. People were trying to comfort us, and I remember many people saying that famous saying that "God doesn't give you more than you can handle". It made me so angry. I was not this strong. The other favorite that people would say is, "Everything happens for a reason". Well, please tell me the reason that God chose our daughter to have medical difficulties!!
However, as I look back on the last two years, I am finally seeing all of the GOOD things that have come from our medical experiences. There are so many treasured moments. Here is the one that is at the forefront of my mind right now. I have found one of my best friends through my "medical mom" experience. Her name is Becky, and I met her at an Organ Donor Awareness walk last September. Her little boy Louie has become one of Emma's best buddies. Louie had a heart transplant, and he was later found to have a mitochondrial disorder. I have to say that Becky is the most amazing mother that I have ever known. No matter what she has encountered with Louie, she has continued to hold him, love him, and be the very best advocate that she ever could be. She has helped me to be a better mother.
Three weeks ago today we met for doctors apointments in another town, and we stayed in a hotel with our kids. We took the kids swimming, ate pizza, drank wine, and talked until late at night. It was just what we ALL needed. The moment that I will always treasure is watching Louie swim. He had lost so much of his strength with his battle with his mitochondrial disorder, but in the water he HAD the freedom to move, and he loved it. I will always remember the pride that shone on Becky's face! There was a very special bond between those two!
One week later I received the call. I knew when I heard Becky's voice that Louie had gone to join Jesus, and my heart ached for her. I feel so fortunate to have known Louie, and to have shared his life. Emma was blessed to have such a wonderful friend. As I look back, our medical times have been heart wrenching, but without them I would not be who I am today, and I would not have found this friendship that will remain with me for the rest of my life!!
Godspeed Little Louie!
Louie and his Mommy
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
One Word Please??
Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me. It can only be one word. No more. Then copy & paste this in your blog so that I may leave a word about you.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Tommorow is a new day....Deep breath!!!
Today is the day that I figure I have officially earned the title "Master Mama...in the area of puke clean up". Yes, Emma did her usual routine during lunch...finished it once, threw it up, ate again, got in the car, and threw up all over her car seat. That's great! I'm good at this...not the first time. DEEP breath, thank my lucky stars that my child is with me today, and I am able to do things for her (I know what my fate could have been, and I feel so fortunate to have her here with me today).
Well, after dinner Wal-Mart was calling our name. We had pictures that needed to be picked up...that is ALL that we needed. So, I decided that we didn't need the diaper bag...we would only be gone a few minutes (I JUST told Tim, my husband, to never go anywhere without the diaper bag because that is when you would need it the most). We picked up the pictures and I remembered that I needed to get milk. We turned the corner by the infant dept. on the way to get the milk. Emma starts to cough...OH NO, she is going to throw up (remember...no diaper bag). I grabbed her dress, and caught ALL of it. Then, I went into the infant dept. picked up the first outfit that I saw, managed to get to the bathroom without anyone seeing us, changed Emma, put her back in the cart, and we were on our way (yes, we did pay for the outfit:). I have to say that I am inmpressed with myself (pat on the back).
Now, is this a "typical" response that a mother would have for their child coughing?...NO! My life is not "typical", but I am learning to appreciate every aspect of my child. She is ours, we chose to give her life, we chose to give her a second chance at life, we are SO thankful to the family that made the decision to donate their daughter's organs so Emma could have that chance, and we will do everything in our power to give our baby girl the best of everything in this world. I get stressed and upset when she gets sick, but as my husband says..."we just have to remember that we are on borrowed time". So, tomorrow I will wake up, take a deep breath, and go pick up my beautiful Angel here on Earth, and I will love her with all that I have!
Well, after dinner Wal-Mart was calling our name. We had pictures that needed to be picked up...that is ALL that we needed. So, I decided that we didn't need the diaper bag...we would only be gone a few minutes (I JUST told Tim, my husband, to never go anywhere without the diaper bag because that is when you would need it the most). We picked up the pictures and I remembered that I needed to get milk. We turned the corner by the infant dept. on the way to get the milk. Emma starts to cough...OH NO, she is going to throw up (remember...no diaper bag). I grabbed her dress, and caught ALL of it. Then, I went into the infant dept. picked up the first outfit that I saw, managed to get to the bathroom without anyone seeing us, changed Emma, put her back in the cart, and we were on our way (yes, we did pay for the outfit:). I have to say that I am inmpressed with myself (pat on the back).
Now, is this a "typical" response that a mother would have for their child coughing?...NO! My life is not "typical", but I am learning to appreciate every aspect of my child. She is ours, we chose to give her life, we chose to give her a second chance at life, we are SO thankful to the family that made the decision to donate their daughter's organs so Emma could have that chance, and we will do everything in our power to give our baby girl the best of everything in this world. I get stressed and upset when she gets sick, but as my husband says..."we just have to remember that we are on borrowed time". So, tomorrow I will wake up, take a deep breath, and go pick up my beautiful Angel here on Earth, and I will love her with all that I have!
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Happy 4th of July
We hope that you all have a wonderful 4th of July! We will be praying for our troops that are fighting for our freedom, and for their safe return home!!!
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