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!

Scan #1...FREE AND CLEAR!!!

The words we have been praying to hear have been spoken!  Brady's scan is clean and he is at this time CANCER FREE!   WHEW...que to exhale!  I can't even stress enough how awesome this news is for our little family to receive!  Immediatly upon hearing this news I could feel the weight of all of this lift and I could breathe again.  Its completely incredible and with joyful tears and all I, we, are so humbly thankful! 

Brady did really well with his MRI and only was only a bit emtional because of the IV that was in his hand.  Once they took it out he was a much happier boy!  This feeling of relief is so overwhelming and I finally feel like I can give myself permission to relax, don't worry until the next time. In the last 24 hours or so I have found it easier to smile or just randomly be joyful and that is such a great feeling to havfe back.  We aren't letting anything take away from this time, Brady's time, for rejoicing and celebrating!  Our little boy has been given his life back, if not for now but for a long, long time to come! 

We will take him to see his oncologist tomorrow to discuss in greater detail this scan and all the what's next items.  I feel certain that Brady's next scan will be in 2 or 3 months and that we may actually get back to a more "normal" feeling in our home! 

This is such a wonderful blessing and a miraculous recovery for our little man.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for keeping him in your prayers.  God is listening and has heard all of us for Brady!   Everything that everyone has done; where it be financial assistance, bringing meals, sending care packages, gift cards, encouragement, prayers and love; has helped us, helped Brady to get to this point and we can never thank you enough for all that you've done!  You are all so amazing!  Thank you God for giving our son back to us!!

Busy week ahead

This week is going to be a busy one!  A hearing test on Monday, MRI scan Tuesday, therapy appts for Angelina Wednesday and oncology appt on Thursday.  Larry and I have been a bit on edge this weekend with Brady's the focus on Brady's upcoming MRI.  His little proton buddy, Mia, had her scan last week and it came out very clean - good news.  We are praying for the same results for Brady!!  He's been sweet, loving and sometimes a bit ADD at the same time.  Today we decided to dismantle the tent, break open a bubble wand dumping bubbles everywhere and smack little sister.  All this with sweetness and snuggles in between.  It leaves Larry and I somewhat confused on how to parent/discipline these instances.  If these things had been happening in the course of regular ordinary life, then for sure some sort of punishment would be needed, but they are only happening now, after the fact.  It can be completely frustrating, but we have found that being patient and taking these actions with a grain of salt is helpful.  It's funny that sometimes he has a reason or at least a response to the "why did you do that?" question rather than his usual "because I did" response.  I mean, at least the kid is putting some thought into some of his answers!  Like anyone's life, some days are better than others and right now remembering that patience is a virtue has made me want to be more virtuous. 

We both are just ready for Thursday to be here and to hear the words from oncology that his scan is clear is pretty much the driving force behind all actions!

Brady has such a light and vibrance about him, even with these subtle differences from then to now, and it amazes me that he came back to us completely.  It seems that all five us have even more of an appreciate for the others and I didn't think there was room for more...boy was I wrong!  Our kids seem to be so much closer.  They hug and kiss each other, snuggle together - yes even Angelina, she laughs more when the talk and trys to hug them when they are near.  Watching them together almost takes my breathe away.  It's funny how you feel like you have gotten used to everything since "that" day - all the emotion, the fear, the stress - and have meshed it into your everyday life or channeled it somewhere else, but there are those moments that creep up and catch you when you least expect it.  I have had my share and it never fails that even though I want to have a bit of a pity party, I find myself so thankful and grateful that God spared him, at least up to this point, so that we can have more wonderful moments of laughter, kisses, snuggles and huggies!  It just melts me when out of the blue Brady says "I love you Cirstyn/Angelina" and Cirstyn looks at him with "I wuv you too Bubba" or Angelina gives a big smile and a giggle.  Or when I'm sitting and he comes right up to me, grabs my face and gives me a big kiss and hug telling me how much he loves me or thank you for taking him some random place or giving him a snack or...(fill in the blank)!  Even though we 5 have been crammed together for the last almost 4 months our family bond has been strengthened a 1000 times over!  God is holding us close and holding us together through our extended families/friends support and I can't tell you how awesome and blessed we feel!

Re-adjusting to home...

We have been home now for about 3 weeks now and it still feels like we are adjusting to being home again!  Bradyn doesn't have a scan until the 26th so that's just a waiting game, while Angelina has resumed her therapy sessions.  Larry has gone back to work and is still adjusting to going back to midnights so that is affecting all of us as we try to figure out what schedule works best for all.  Bradyn is still exhibiting some aggressive behavior and I am still hopeful that it's more to do with the environmental change but time will tell on that as well.  I can tell when he does something, like pour a glass of milk on his chest, and he gets completely upset about it like he doesn't understand why he just did that he's not trying to "buy" his way out of a situation.  On the other hand, when he doesn't get his way on something then throws a ball, or some other random object that happens to be in his hand, he gets that scared "oh no!" look on his face like he knows he's about to get into trouble.  Some days require more patience than others but everyday we are both so thankful that he is still here with us!  It's hard getting back to that state of mind where you don't feel like you have to keep looking over your shoulder to see what else is coming.  Right now, for me personally, the diet/grocery changes are cumbersome.  In Houston we were literally blocks from really great markets to get the organic and natural items we needed and if we didn't have something it wasn't a drive across town.  It felt like life here was completely on hold so there was time to read all the labels that needed to be read and the upkeep on the apartment and laundry wasn't as big of a deal because of the size and proximity of it all.  Now that we are home, life has decided to resume and I guess I am feeling like I can't, we can't, quite keep up. 

Larry and I planned on taking Brady and Cirstyn to Turner Falls for an overnight trip this week, but the more we talked about being away from the house overnight and spending the night somewhere else the more Brady absolutly did not want to go.  It came down to making a decision and the last time we talked with him about it he melted into tears about being home to sleep in his baseball bed.  It really was heartbreaking to see him this upset about his need to sleep at home so, as you can imagine, we stayed home.  So, while Angelina spent the night with Nanny, we took B and C to Chuck E. Cheese's to play games and to the zoo.  We made sure to pick things that Angelina didn't really enjoy to make the most of her hanging with Nan and I mean to tell you she would have HATED the heat at the zoo!!   B and C had a blast at CEC running around playing games, winning tickets and picking prizes.  They equally enjoyed the zoo riding the train, seeing the animals and playing in the kid areas.  At least there were enough indoor exhibits to see so that we could cool off in between all of the outside exhibits.  It was good day!