1st Day of Preschool

 The school years have begun.  I have tried not to get too emotional about my little cowboy going to preschool because I know in retrospect it is just 3-year-old preschool.  This morning we all got ready and everyone was “emotionally stable” regarding the adventure.  School does not start until 9:30a so I went ahead and went to work and Tyler took Keeler to Granny’s to work on bookwork while we waited to take him.  I picked up the three of them at about 9:15a and we headed to school. 

On the way, Keeler was so excited and we talked about what to expect. 

When we got to school, he was excited to go and see everyone.  When we walked in he put his backpack away and asked if he could show Granny the toys.  Obviously us adults had discussed our game plan beforehand and we all knew that we needed to drop him off and make our exit as quickly as possible.  I looked at Granny to see if she thought her looking at the toys was a good or bad idea but uh oh, her eyes were swelling up with tears.  I knew that she was thinking what I was trying to avoid thinking about:  how quickly our little cowboy is growing up, about how grown up he appeared in a school setting, how proud we are of him, etc… So then of course I started to tear up.  I looked away because I didn’t want Keeler to see me but he was looking right up at me with fear in those huge blue eyes.  I looked over to Tyler to get some strength but I could tell he was kind of getting emotional too.  We all knew at that moment that we had to leave.  The aid luckily walked over to Keeler and asked him to go play as we left. 
The next two hours were torture for me.  I went back to work and tried to concentrate and hold back the tears.  However, it was hard and I had this fear that he was wailing and bawling and must be feeling abandoned.  I am sure that I drove my coworkers crazy, i.e., mostly males.  But they were very supportive by telling me that he was doing fine.  FINALLY, Tyler and I met up to head to school.  We went to the director’s office first to pay his tuition.  It was music to my ears when she said that he did great!  She said that he cried for a little while at first but then did very well.  When we walked in to get him he was seated on the rug with his backpack and was grinning from ear to ear.  He was so proud of himself.  He yelled out goodbye to a few kids by name and be-bopped to the car.  He told us that they learned about the cross and God.  He talked about his snack time and some of the kids. 

Prior to picking him up I arranged to take the afternoon off to help him emotionally because I just knew he would be scarred, but evidently we all took it harder than he did.  Oh well, I decided to stay home anyway, perhaps more for myself.  We have painted and played this afternoon and now he is napping.  I don’t regret taking the day off, I know my one on one time with this little cowboy is limited.   

"I'll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

The definition of a HERO.

I have to introduce you to someone. 

But first, I want to start by giving you a brief summary of 

"a day in Tripp's life."  

Tripp doesn't know a day without pain.  He wakes up in pain, he goes to bed in pain.  He starts the day with a painful diaper change, while he cries so hard that he struggles to breathe and has to be suctioned usually more than once during one diaper change.  

He then goes straight into the rocking chair into our arms (with us knowing that we better not even stop to grab something off of the table or we are getting "fussed").  

He rocks the entire day, with maybe a few minutes of playtime here or there a couple of times a day (if we are lucky).  He has lost his eyesight due to blisters that have formed and scarred over his eyeballs. 

 He never gets to do the things that normal children can do because he can't speak, see, walk, or even go outside. 

He has to have a bath and dressing change every other day that causes him extreme pain and anxiety.  He knows this is coming and usually dreads it for half of the day worrying about when we are going to pick him up and undress him.  

If it's humid outside, his trach is usually better, but we do a lot of suctioning.  If its dry out, his trach stays dry and he has trouble breathing even with his humidifier on. 

He eats by me shoving food into his stomach with a tube.  He wants to eat by mouth, and will try occasionally, but usually takes one bite and decides that it hurts so much that he doesn't want another.  

He has over 20 teeth that he's had for over 2 years that have never once been brushed.  

He has sores all over his entire mouth and tongue from his teeth rubbing (just like if his skin is rubbed).  

OH, and his body is covered in raw, deep wounds that never heal and he has to stay wrapped in thick bandages every second of the day, with pounds of Aquaphor underneath those "already suffocating" dressings.  

NOW... 

It's one thing to have this happen to your child without you choosing or knowing it.  

For me, of course, there was no other option than to devote my entire life to my baby- just like most mother's that I know would do.  

BUT... 

What if you knew all of these things that I just mentioned to you, and yet you STILL CHOSE to step up to the plate and devote your life to a child with this disease (who is not even your own flesh and blood)?  Now THAT to me, my friends, would be the definition of a HERO. 

Meet my Hero, Caroline:

Caroline is 20 years old... Yes, only 20 years old...

And she has volunteered with babies and children in Russia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Romania, Thailand, and China since 2008.  She spent the last year volunteering in China and Romania, as well as advocating for waiting children in China, and children in need of medical visas around the world.  

Currently, she is fostering a beautiful little boy named Raul, who also has EB.

Meet Raul:

Caroline tells his story on her blog: "Raul was born in Barlad, Romania, on October 19th 2009. He was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa, as was his sister who passed away at one month old.  He lived in the hospital for four months, when he was then trasfered to Tutova Clinic. I met Raul the day he arrived in Tutova, and immediately fell in love. At the time he was in very poor condition, and his condition was not widely known in the area. I was in contact with doctors in the United States during my time in Romania to help find ways to improve his quality of life. Once home I began working on getting Raul a medical visa to come to the U.S. for a short time to receive more expansive testing and wound care. Finally in early August I got the email I was waiting for, and Raul was accepted to Massachusetts General Hospital and Colorado Children's Hospital for free medical care!"

Caroline is taking care of this beautiful little boy mostly by herself and with the help of her courageous and supportive parents.  She is devoting her life to keeping him alive and getting him the best care possible.  She is by his side every minute of the day, never leaving the hospital... not because she HAS to, but because she WANTS to.  Caroline is from Massachusetts, but her and Raul are currently in Denver, Colorado, where Raul is receiving free medical care.  

Last week, he had a feeding tube placed because he was unable to eat without being in pain and without his mouth bleeding.  

He is also receiving IV antibiotics for an infection that was in his bloodstream.  

And just like every other EB child that I "know," he seems like he has the best disposition.  Smiling, playful, and happy.  

How unfair and cruel is this disease?  

Raul's sweet little hand...

I would love to be able to say (before Tripp was born) that I would have fostered and cared for an EB child (or any special needs child) just because it was the "right" thing to do.  But I can honestly say that I think I was way too selfish.  Thank God that there are people in this world who put their own selfish needs and wants aside and CHOOSE to cater to the needs of the less fortunate.

Because it's one thing to devote your life to YOUR child, but it's just downright admirable to devote your life to a child who is not your own.  

So, please, take a minute and hop over to Caroline's blog

  HERE

and show her some support. 

And please keep her and Raul in your prayers.  

She's is giving a VOICE to one more child who isn't able to have a voice of his own. 

Much, much respect and love to you, Caroline. 

Love, 

Then & Now

Becks is officially back to school  My word, it feel like we just did the first day of school for him last year.  Why does having a kiddo make life go at super speed?! 

The morning started with donuts and coffee and a big green star balloon.  Typical.  I kid.  It’s just milk.  All the sippies were dirty. Also, I loathe the day he can no longer wear footie jammie because he just looks so dang sweet in them.

Then, we took the standard front porch First Day of School pics.  He was a little more cooperative this year.

September 2010:

September 2011:

He’s such a ham!

Then, it was off to school where he played with Rescue Heroes and grilled me a hamburger.

As tradition goes, we hit up First Watch next.  Yummo,

Then, I forced B to take a pic of me and Becks because, seriously, it’s a rarity he and I are in the same frame.  Also, the matching kicks were not intentional. 

We stopped by the house briefly before we had to take Becks to a doctor’s appointment, and that child is all kinds of active.  I’m lucky that all the pics I take don’t look like the one below.

And, the good news is, the pumpkin doesn’t have to have surgery.  He has syndactyly on his tootsies (i.e. webbed toes), which are barely noticeable, but his pediatrician wanted us to be sure that his bone growth was on track. No fused bones, so we’re good!

And one more cute this-year-last-year comparison pic (to make up for my month long absence).

So stinkin’ big!  Love. This. Child.

First Day of School!

Today was our first day of school!

I always remember the first day of school being momentous and exciting.

So even though my kids will definitely have a different experience than I did (being homeschooled), I still want them to feel the joy of starting a new year!

As a result, this morning I made a big deal about it being their first day back to school.

When they woke up, there was a whole new school set up waiting for them in the livingroom.

And LOTS of new school supplies!

Remember how good it felt to open a new box of crayons???

Finally, we started our day with some pictures to mark the special occasion:

I got the idea from How Does She? along with Piper's printable. Taitum's 'Tot School' version I made myself.

And there they are, in their little school corner, hard at work!

I'll explain more of what we're up to in days to come!

But until then,

Happy First Day of School!

Stop the World. We’re Alive.

 

Hi, y’all!!!!  Omiword, I feel like I’m reuniting with friends that I haven’t talked to in years.  My heart’s jumpin’ a little, and I am seriously *smiling* right now as I type!  I mean, it’s been a month.  Over a month, actually, since I’ve so much uttered a word on this poor, little neglected blog!  If you’re still reading, thank you!

{And now I can officially get my mom, my sister in Lex, and Dr. B off my back about updating!  Bonus!}

So, things have been cah-razy busy.  In a good way, though!  Life is going well and everything is just fine.  School started quickly and grad school started the very next week.  I love my new kididdles, but – of course – am already counting down the days until Fall Break.  Ha!

Becks is growing like mad.  He starts school tomorrow.  He’s ready.  Also, he thinks he’s a pirate.  And is really into…hmmm…little boy humor?  To put it kindly.  His imagination has absolutely erupted over the summer, and he’s always making up words, playing pretend, and entertaining us with his crazy stories.  Love him.

B starts carpentry school tomorrow! Yay!  It’s about time he put all that talent to use :)

Me?  I’m still thrifting, Targeting, blogging {at The Inspired Apple}, decorating, teaching, and seeking out an extra hour or two in the day to do it all.  I’ve still been visiting all of you on the sly, usually around 6am while I drink my first {of many} cup of coffee.   Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on in bloggy world ;)

Happy Labor Day!

Jacey's visit!

We have officially started the 30 day countdown to Kallahan’s arrival - 26 more days! This also means another weekend at home since we can't travel more than an hour of the hospital.  Luckily, my mom came up to see us again.  She is being so supportive by entertaining us and this weekend my sister was nice enough to let her bring along my favorite little girl to visit.  My mom and Jacey arrived on Friday evening and the kiddos have been playing since they got here.  Little cowboy loves Jacey and she is so great with him. 

Dove hunting has opened up, so in addition to his regular farm/ranch duties Tyler has pretty much been MIA since Thursday.  He is having a blast with his friends/family.  On opening night everyone shot their limit within 3 hours.  So obviously, it was nice to have the girls here to visit. 
We've had a lot of fun! 

Christmas in September 

Christmas movie, hot chocolate & marshmallows

 Playtime:  You name it, they played it! 

 puppies, birds, fish, snakes... a trip to the pet store

We took little cowboy to the movies - he is still not a movie goer. 
It was a darling movie for what we could see between 
3 bathroom breaks and multiple other escape attempts.

 Playing at the Noah's Arc Park

 "Ice cream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream..."
Don't you just LOVE this picture!

Thanks for a great visit Grandma Kathy & Jacey!



"Of all my favorite happy times so special to recall, the times we’ve spent together are my most cherished of all."  Author: Unknown









The Logistics of Turning 4

This morning I was up and had everything ready for Piper's birthday breakfast before either of the kids were awake.

Then the table was set, presents laid out, candle lit and little sister belted in, waiting in anticipation for the birthday girl...

But there was a bit of a problem...

Birthday girl was still asleep. This doesn't happen. Sleeping after 8? Whaaaat?! I suppose it was her birthday. She certainly had the right to. But I woke her up. Because I was so excited. Uh-huh.

So as she strolled into the kitchen to the tune of her little family singing the birthday song, she let out a response of understandable proportions considering that she was woken up from her birthday morning sleep in... "No! NO!", she yelled and ran back to her room and jumped back into her bed.

Truly, Piper girl, I feel your pain.

But once I promised that there would be no more singing and that she did not have to blow out the candle she returned to the kitchen with a smile to warm the coldest heart!

But really, what 4 year old wouldn't when presented with cake batter pancakes for breakfast?

Then more smiles as she open her gift - a Vtech Kidzoom camera! Its extra cute because every time she says camera it sounds like she's saying 'gran-ma' ... "Yay! A new 'gran-ma'!" ...teehehehe!

But parents be warned: you will find yourself saying 'cheese' way too many times in the run of the day. And the paparazzi sneaking up on you at inopportune times. (Ahem...)

Not to mention the awkward conversation that ensues when your child takes a picture of a complete stranger.

Anyhoo...

She loved her gift!

No birthday is completel until a gentleman caller shows up on your doorstep with a bouquet of flowers. Especially when it s the man you've claimed you are going to marry since you were 3.

Oh, Boppa!

Finally, the day was spent doing whatever she wanted.

Which in her case was shopping with her Mookie, Taitum and I.

(ALL girl, this one!)

Happy 4th Birthday, Piper Grey!

Your Mama loves you more than you could ever imagine!