Was this how Van Gogh started?

Emma's therapists brought some large ink pads over the other day. They also brought many stamps thinking that Emma could do a "cute little stamping project". Emma took the 1st stamp and with a gleam in her eye she tossed it across the room. Then she proceeded to stick her entire hand on the stamp pad...and that is where the fun began. The therapists soon realized that the clothes needed to come off. So, Emma found a new joy in life. She had so much fun...as the pictures below will tell. She also made an awesome picture for our wall...far better than ANY stamps would have done!







I'm thinking about sending Em's GI doctor this picture and asking him...."I'm pretty sure this isn't jaundice (from liver disease)...but, what would cause this discoloring of her stomach? LOL!!! This is actually her tummy....the finished product!!





Van Gogh.....EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!! Do you think this is how he started??? HMMMMM?????

Go Broncos!

Emma is a true Bronco fan through and through thanks to Aunt Becky and Uncle Joe! We are pretty sure they won yesterday because their petite mini cheerleader was wearing the jersey. What do you think? Wouldn't you win a game if you saw that sweet face? Go Broncos!!!

3 Amazing Years

I awoke this morning with a dark cloud looming over me....and a strong pounding in my head that suggested maybe my alter ego went out last night and tied one on without me. As the day went on the headache subsided, but the cloud continued to follow me (isn't there a cartoon about that). While we were eating lunch it hit me like a ton of bricks.....it's been 3 years today. Why do I always remember these "anniversaries"? Today marks the anniversary of the beginning of a journey that we never signed up for. There were no road maps made for our travels. We began this journey with a blind fold on, and many days I feel like I still have it on. Yes, on September 17, 2003 we admitted Miss Emma to the hospital for the very first time.

I vividly remember pulling into the circular drive in front of The Children's Hospital while tears welled up in my eyes and proceeded to pour down my cheeks. This was followed by the sobs that racked my post partum body while I opened the back door of our car to remove the car seat which held our yellow baby with wondering eyes. She looked up at me as if to say, "Mama, what's wrong"...and that is how our journey began. That particular entrance at Children's Hospital still pains me to walk through. I hope to never experience that feeling again. The utter fear of the unknown that can take over your entire being.

The memory of walking through the halls, trying to find our way to a room that was on the other side of the construction zone. Without a map....it took patience that we did not have at the time. Finally we found it, and we weeped some more as we laid our precious 6 week old child in the crib. The crib that she would spend the next month of her life in. Those bars that I would look through to see my child with tubes and wires. My child who was trying to heal...with a liver that would not allow her to. Those bars were like a prison that had trapped us all in a time that I felt like my world was ending.

I remember feeling as if I were falling deeper and deeper into a dark hole. I worried each time that I went to sleep that I may not be able to climb out the next day, or worse that someone may tell me something else to push me further. The darkness encompassed my world. The pain of the unknown was my every breath. My entire body felt it.

Today is a day of memories. They are not the kind of memories that I want to have, but they are the memories that help me to cherish my child more than I ever knew I could. Those moments are a part of my child's history, and they have helped to make me who I am today. Before having Emma I never knew how strong I could be. The past 3 years have helped me to become a person that I am proud to be. Looking back, I can tell you that the past 3 years have been amazing!

From the Mouths of Babes!

My students were working on a project today (I teach a multi-age Kdg./1st grade class) when one of my kindergarten students said, "Mrs. F, how do you make ladybugs?". I said, "Real ladybugs?". He said, "Yes". I began to tell him that only nature can make real lady bugs. He was not convinced of this, so he said to me, "But, I WANT to make a ladybug". I continued to tell him that only nature could make ladybugs...it was just not something that we could do. He put his hands on his hips and he said to me, "WELL, MRS. F. YOU SAID WE COULD DO ANYTHING IF WE TRY HARD ENOUGH".

Just when you think they aren't listening....you realize that they really do hear EVERY WORD YOU SAY! The way they interpret things in the literal sense is something all of us could learn from the innocence of a child.

Life blooms as the flowers wilt away

Life is blooming here in our little corner of the world. When I look out my window there is a heavvy haze in the air from the brutal forrest fires that are taking their toll on our surrounding states, but looking past it I can see the leaves begin to turn the beautiful crimson and orange of the impending fall. Blooming...in the fall? I know that it may sound as if I have the seasons mixed up. Lord knows that in Wyoming when the seasons are changing we dare not blink before the next season is here. I do know the difference between fall and spring (after all...it is a 1st grade benchmarks).

I guess by "blooming" I mean within our household and within our lives. Life is finally just EASY...and I never thought that I would EVER be able to say that again (and I am knocking on wood vigorously...and using strong caution while typing this). Emma is blooming! I have come to the conclusion that once you have a child life really does cease to be about you any more....and when you have a sick child on top of it...well, just forget about life ever being about you again. However, I don't want it to be about me. I stand in her glory and look at her with awe. The obstacles that she has faced and overcome are inspiring....and she continually impresses me every single day. Yes, she is blooming. She is eating like a champ, she is using the big girl potty (with the assistance of the Elmo Potty video....and it is still not real consistant...but, I'll take what I can get), she is talking more and more every day, she has a strong will and determination that just flounders me!! AND....are you ready for this???....she is going to start pre-school!!

One day a week my little princess will go to pre-school. I'm SO excited!! She will start on Oct. 5....and yes, I already have her outfit (complete with matching shoes) picked out....are you surprised??

It amazes me how much more relaxed life can be when things are somewhat "normal" (I know Becky....normal is JUST a setting on the dryer). Life may never be everyone else's version of normal in our house, but I will enjoy our "easy" moments while I watch Emma bloom:).