Schools back in session and Brady's getting his port removed!

Everyone has officially started preschool as of this week and all are well...mostly.  Angelina is glad to be back in her PPCD class, Cirstyn has taken to Starbright well and Brady is excited to be back with his friends too, but he's having some growing pains right now with saying goodbye to Mommy and especially Daddy this week.  He has a crying meltdown but once we leave his teacher says he gets over it in just a few minutes.  Gotta love that boy!  He has had such a good time at school though and makes sure to check on Cirstyn as well.  

Say a prayer for this sweet boy because tomorrow morning he will have his anesthesia port removed at Cook Children's.  Larry is working tonight until 4am so he can change and go with us.  We check in at 6am and should be home by noon.  The procedure itself is very quick, like 20 minutes, but all the prep and paperwork,etc. takes so much time. It's bittersweet because it signals a positive direction in good health but still, someone is cutting into my child's body...again.  I'm sure all will be fine and he'll come out of his anesthesia like a bull in a glass cage, so par for the course.  

I've been a bit emotional this week with him going back to school and getting ready for tomorrow.  I don't consider myself to be a person who gets sappy or overly emotional when it comes to things like this, in my mind's eye I'm a pretty tough chic.  Even with Cirstyn being clingy on her first day of school I was good, but seeing Brady not wanting us to leave him and listening to him cry affected me more than I thought it would.  Not that I just broke down bawling or anything, but it just kind of hit me like when you have a stinging paper cut or get a nose hair or something.  I really didn't expect it because I was prepared, or so I thought.  I made it out of the door to Starbright and THEN got really teary.  Brady hadn't stayed with anyone that wasn't directly related to him since all this started.  It was comforting to know that they group of women whose hands we'd left him in adore him and would take good care of him.

Yesterday after dropping Angelina off from school I was headed to pick up mine and my mom's co-op organic share produce just a few blocks from our house.  I was listening to the radio and had it on KLTY Christian radio when on came a song by Mark Shultz I hadn't heard in a long time - He's My Son.  I hadn't heard it since finding out about Brady's cancer nor had I even thought about it.  Only a few verses in, getting to the chorus and I was a complete mess.  It's a beautiful song and I saw myself, my husband and my son right in the middle of it.  It was the longest few minutes in a while and it's been in my head ever since.  I don't dare play it for Larry as he would be a puddle on the floor!  He gets enough of the replay on the daily at work seeing all the places at CCMC where our lives changed, our moments happened.  Anyway, it's been in my head and I find myself playing this to his journey over the last 5 months and I remember feeling these same feelings, thinking these same words at different times and now being so thankful knowing God did hear me, hear us, hear you.

Here is a link to the song...I warn you be ready to cry...

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YZPLGNNX

"He's My Son"

I'm down on my knees again tonight,
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right.
See, there is a boy that needs Your help.
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired,
I'm sure You can understand.
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand,
And she tries
Not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes.

Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place some how.
See, he's not just anyone, he's my son.

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep,
I dream of the boy he'd like to be.
I try to be strong and see him through,
But God, who he needs right now is You.
Let him grow old,
Live life without this fear.
What would I be
Living without him here?
He's so tired,
And he's scared
Let him know that You're there.

Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place some how.
See, he's not just anyone, he's my son.

Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow.
See, he's not just anyone.

Can You hear me?
Can You see him?
Please don't leave him,
He's my son. 

Brady's Celebration

On August 13th we celebrated our son's bravery out at "The Farm" with family and a couple of close friends.  We were skeptical at first that it wasn't going to happen because that day was the ONE day in the whole summer it rained and wasn't 100+ degrees!  It was cool, but no one got sun scorched and the cool air was welcome.  At 11am the only guests we had were Brandie, Chris and Emma, but soon after the driveway started to fill up and there were almost 50 people!

It was so wonderful to see everyone together and for Brady to get to play with cousins and friends!  These kiddos had a blast on the gargantuan water slide and everyone got their fill on turkey dogs, fruit skewers, chips/dip and cake!  Thank you to all who helped us out by bringing dips and stuff and a special thank you to Creative Memories Cake Shop for the awesome cake and cupcakes!  It was exactly what Brady wanted and he was thoroughly pleased with his "It's My Time" cake!  All of you are so special to us!

We had a special group join us as well.  Hawgs For Hope board of directors all came out to celebrate Brady with us and he got to meet the motorcycle riders that rode for his cure!  Brady was a bit shy at first, but he warmed up.  They were so gracious to come out and be a part of our celebration.  They even brought him 2 teddy bears that were donated to him from the ride.  He loves the bears and they have been inducted into his "snugglers" group!  

I understand that some didn't get their Evite and for that I'm sorry, I didn't realize there was an issue with some of the invitation mailers.  You were all with us in spirit!  

To sum it all up, Brady felt like a rock star and we had so much fun with all of you!  Thank you for making that happen!  <3 <3 <3

***check out photos of Bradyn's Cancer Recover at http://bradynscancerrecovery.shutterfly.com/

Password = brady

Brady's Hawgs For Hope football

This past weekend Hawgs For Hope held their second charity poker run for a 23 year old girl named Lindsey who is dealing with breast cancer.  They asked if Brady would decorate something to put in their auction and this was what we came up with!  It looked so cool in person and brought $280!

It's healthy teeth for everyone!

Visit to the dentists office this morning and everyone cooperated.  No cavities and Brady got a big boy cleaning with all the cool instruments!  Cirstyn was so sweet helping the tech with the tooth brush and even Angelina behaved as best she could with someone invading her mouth...and we all know how much she hates that! 

Angelina has a small chip on her front left tooth so she has some fluoride tell to swab over her teeth to keep them strong.  The tech was very experienced on how to handle a CP kid as she had siblings with similar conditions plus she was so very sweet to my little angel! 

Even though Brady has a phobia of white coats right now he behaved like a little gentleman, brave as he could be! 

They all stole the dentist office hearts!

Angelina's first day back at school!

Angelina had her first day back to school - PPCD PreK afternoon class! She had a great day and was very happy to be back at school. She had a new teacher, that was giving me anxiety to say the least, but it ended up being an aid from last year so I was so relieved. I think this girl's schedule is fuller than her mother's!

Sweet moments!

I thought I posted this and it's been 2 weeks since I wrote it but mistakenly saved it as a draft...it was late, give me a break!  Anyway, I'm posting it now and have the warm fuzzies after reading it again! (BTW the muffins were awesome!)

It's late, as usual, and I'm making muffins per my son's request, naturally!  I've really been focused on diet lately and am incorporating different ways to get the good stuff in without too much objection and muffins is one of those ways.  While I have been waiting for them to finish I've been recounting the day with much sentiment.  Cirstyn left early today to stay with my grandmother for the night so it's been the twins and I today.  There have been so many sweet moments today between these two and I've also gotten the lion's share of sweetness from them both as well.  With his little sister, and partner in crime, gone Brady's been a bit low-key today and has enjoyed having his own personal time with his mommy and daddy.  It's funny that he doesn't mind sharing time with Angelina but will fight with Cirstyn for all the attention!  During this time today I've realized how much he's grown up, just how articulate he is and have found for the first time wishing he was small again.  Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't go back to the early parenthood days for nearly anything but having some real personal time with him has made me miss some of the things he used to do.  He's reading so well, doing simple math and is trying to write letters.  His memory is astounding as he can recount many small details of things we did weeks ago.  I can't even remember all of yesterday much less weeks ago, so I'm really easily impressed!  

Maybe he seems more mature because of the ordeal he has been put through, not only surviving brain cancer and it's treatment, but with a smile and energy!  I am truly amazed at our little man and his determination to overcome.  We have been cheering him on and as well as all of you have so maybe he has that oldest-child need to please all of us by making it through, if so I'll take it!   

I'm going to sleep tonight basking in the bliss of my love for my two survivors, two peas in a pod, overcoming life's obstacles against all odds!  (oh and the little monster girl too!)

Fairytale morning

Playing dress up this morning is a great way to start off a Monday! Everyone is in good spirits and getting over the busy weekend.  Brady is teaching his little sister more and more each day about the business of being a kid.  Todays lesson is Geography as they explore the world by playing  "GLOBE" on his leapster!  Apparently education by the dark of the closet is VERY important.  ;)

Cirstyn says "It's an Alice In Wonderland kind of day!"

Exploring options for Ms. Angelina!

Today we met with Epic Medstaff to inquire about their in home nursing services for Ms. Angelina.  It was an interesting and informative conversation giving them her medical background and asking questions about their program.  They think she will qualify for 40 hrs per week of nursing services.  This would include in home help with her, either while I am there or if I needed to go to the grocery store, things like that.  Even if we needed the nurse to drop off/pick up from school as well.

It's kind of wierd to think of someone in your home, a stranger at first, so I'm sure the interview process will be long.  I don't know what kind of arrangment/schedule we will put together and this school year Angelina is going to the afternoon class rather than in the mornings.  I spoke with her principal this morning and the reason for the switch she said that once kids are 4 they switch to afternoons so that they can integrate with the general pre-k class for socialization occassionaly and other activities.  I'm not sure how I feel about that but I guess we will see.  Her friend Carolina was in the afternoon class last year and her mom said that it ended up being ok. 

We haven't been able to start HBOT yet because of Larry's vehicle issue.  For those that don't know Larry's car was t-boned sitting in front of our house by our neighbor who was working on his Yukon.  He had the dash out working on it and somehow his car slipped into neutral.  When he realized he was rolling he couldn't get to the brake because the dash was in the floorboard!  So BAMM!  Right into the defensless little Saturn!  Bent the frame so their insurance company totalled it.  Now we are searching for a new car for him.  Until we find him another car I can't leave him with 2 kids and no car!  So the search continues.

Ranger's game in style!

Watching the game from the seats outside the suite

Brack and Sharon

Sharon and I 

The view from our suite

Pres. George W. and Barbara Bush (white and green shirts by the dugout)

Mitch Moorland - I took this for Brady <3

Last night Larry and I were invited to the Rangers game with tickets to a suite! Brack and Sharon Whitley and some of the poker players from the Saturday Night Poker Club won this suite in an auction at the charity poker tourney for Angelina. It was really cool and we the four of us felt "expensive"! For us, it was just great getting out for a date and having a good time and I'm sure the kids enjoyed spending time with their Nana and Papa as well.  

This is the first post on my blog that I'm doing from my smart phone so I hope it post well. I'm also going to post a pic of the field from our seats!

Thanks Brack; Sharon and the SNPL for such a great evening!