I dont eat worms....

I am sure that you have heard the expression.... "The early bird gets the worm." Well since I don't particularly care for worms I have taken a great liking to not being early. :) You know that way there's no risk for having to eat a worm.....

I'm late again on our blog, and there are so many things that I have to share.

This Christmas has been unlike any other... so full of precious moments and memories. We have a little boy who really is getting into the whole party/cake/ presents thing and he has spread so much Christmas cheer. This Christmas really has also just been a time that has really left me so very thankful for the gifts that the Lord has given us. So many blessings!!!! I just read on a fellow blog a wonderful story about Mary, and how she was chosen to give her son. She had to raise him, love him, care for him, and then see Him beaten, and killed for our sins. He and she both did this willingly too. WOW! I had spent time reflecting on this very thing in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

When I  watched the wonder and merriment in Carson's eyes. Watched him laugh, and enjoy these Christmas events. And then there have been so many moments when he needed comfort and care as he heals from surgery. When he needed Mommy.  I thought about how much I love him.... how much I need him. And then how much sacrifice it took for Mary and the Lord to give their son to die. Oh what a humbling reminder of what Christmas really means. It was the birth of a precious child born to be a Savior.

These past few weeks have been a roller coaster.... I hate roller coasters. I do however, end up on them spending the entire ride screaming, and begging to get off.... all the while having a blast, and really wanting to do it again. :)

Carson is doing well after our recent shunt placement. I have been shocked at how well he seems to be when we are in a group of people. It's been so wonderful, and yet so sneaky at the same time. I claimed he's been extra fussy, cranky, tired, not eating/drinking well and needing alot of extra attention, yet we get in a group at a party or a church event and he makes me a liar with his laughter and smile. LOL.

Here are a few pictures  for you to enjoy.

Just before surgery in the hospital pjs that just melt your heart.

Out of order but just after we got to the hospital.

The Brown's wedding reception. Congrats you two.

A holiday sweater vest. :) 

Simone's birthday party

Christmas Day with family

I said, "presents" as I shot this picture. 

He knows what to do.

A favorite was this sock monkey in a box.

Although blurry this was my favorite. What a handsome little man. :)
We do hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. Lots of love!!!

I have Christmas morning photos to share but will save that and another wonderful Christmas surprise for my next post. :) Check back soon... you won't want to miss it.

upcoming surgery

This Tuesday we are headed to Children's for Carson's shunt surgery. We have had made it through a full year of borderline monitoring and finally decided that a shunt placement would be best.

I needed this year...Because of this year.

I know about shunts.
 
I know that they are helpful and necessary when your child has hydrocephalus.

I know they are sturdy and stable and do not hinder activities.

I know from many that their child showed improvement after receiving one, even though they didnt feel that there were any problems.

I know about the surgery and all the proceedings, and still I know it is considered a minor surgery.

I know that the Lord is in control, and He has allowed the hydrocephalus to accumulate thus resulting in the need for shunt placement.

I know that He has heard my prayers.

I also know that even though I am far better prepared and accepting of shunts I am terrified, and I am not ready for this next challenge.

I know I need you to please keep Carson, and me in your prayers this week.

I know you will.

Thank you!!!!!

A burden you can help

This past week my heart has been so heavy for a situation and a circumstance that is beyond my control. One of those things that you just can't quite get off of your mind... and one of those things that you can't find the right words to share with others that properly reflects how you feel. I have restarted this post about 30 times in the attempt to properly convey this burden. We need your help.

Please meet Shea 
http://savingshea.blogspot.com/

This Christmas as we cuddle up with our little man, as we pray with/for him, as we encourage him, and do everything in our power to increase his independence this little four year old boy is told he will be bedridden.

???????

The reason being there is no family to support him, and no body to fight for him. To get him the therapy and equipment that he needs to show his strength through his disability of spina bifida.


He needs our help...

Please take a moment to read his story, and share it with others.

Please donate, and support his adoption.

Please pray.
 

Announcing #4

This last Thursday we met with the perinatolgist to have my thorough ultrasound done on Baby #2

Everything looks great, and Baby #2 is very healthy!!!!

We also found out the gender of  baby #2

#4 is in fact a BOY!!!!!

Silas is expected to join us on May 5, 2011

Thank you all for your continued prayers.
Lots of love!

Backtrack with me

Oops.... I completely forgot to publish the post that included pictures from Carson's birthday party. :) I was so excited to share them and then somehow managed to not publish... This just dawned on me when I was reviewing the last few posts...... I am blaming pregnancy.... :) Yep... That's my excuse and I am sticking to it.

Any way without further ado.. Here are the pictures from our special man's very first birthday party!!!!!

I set up a photo spot with these masks. This is Carson's physical therapist. She and her family joined us which was a huge blessing and encouragement.

This is our assistant pastor, our school principal, and our very good friend/mentor. You are welcome Mr. ___What more could I possibly say?

These are lovely lady friends. The gal on the right won our m&m game.

Right at this time... about 30 mins into our party we were bumped out of the spot we had chosen and decorated because another family had it reserved for their party. It was a unfortunate circumstance but really was such a blessing to my heart as I watched every one of our guests pitch in to help and move the party to a new location. We were right in the middle of the cake eating and so here is Carson mid- cake. :)

"May I finish that yummy thing, please?"

reset the game table

Presents!!!! WOW!! Thank you everyone for your gifts.

All moved. :) Were closer together now and more cozy.

Cozy. :)

Back to the cake

rrrrroooarrr

This is Carson's very special girl. However, I think he was a little more into me this time because I had just given him cake.

"Mema, There are soooo many good presents... I will have to carry them with my arms this far apart."

Again thank you so very much to those who joined us for this special event. I cannot even believe that we have had Carson's first birthday party. Much less, grasp that we had such a wonderful and special day shared with those who have blessed us so much with their love, support, prayers, and friendship. It's no suprise that we think Carson is a special guy. This year that we have shared with him has brought us so much joy, and so much happiness. He has changed our lives. He has brought us closer together, and we can do nothing less than the Praise the Lord.


I did something special this year at Carson's birthday. I asked that our guests write a quick note to include in Carson's memory book. As I have read over those my heart is filled with love and pride, and I decided to share a few in our blog. I will be leaving out the specific names for their privacy.

    I am just praying that you get to walk like a pro and maybe get to play some sports. You are special because you are a soldier. You are so cute. Love you.- .(my best friend's 11 year old daughter)

    To sweetest Carson! 
 You are considered the precious boy of so many people. I was very excited for your arrival- and you didn't dissapoint; with a personality that fills a room. :) I'm looking forward to see God's work in your life. You're destined to be an amazing man! 

   Well happy- happy birthday Carson.
Just to let you know how special you are. I know the Lord has great plans for you. I hope and pray that as you get older, that you may Him as your Lord and Savior, to grow in His will. You're just one cool little boy....


   What makes you special is the power of prayer that I've seen answered because of you. You are such a blessing to me and to our whole church. I can't wait to see what else the Lord has in store for you! 


  Carson, Our little freind..
Our life is different now knowing you. Seeing this precious boy grow with the love of Jesus all around him. teach us Carson, what we need to see, hear, and know.


My heart just smiles. Thank you family and friends, thank you blog friends. Each of you have touched our hearts and added joy to our journey. If you would like to add a comment for me to place in Carson's memory book, I will more than gladly accept them. You can either email it to me, or post it as a comment on this page.


One more note from mommy.
     Happy First Birthday my handsome little man. I am so very proud of joy and am so excited to see you grow, and see the Lord continue to use you for His glory. I am praying for you, and always cheering you on. You have far exceeded all of my hopes and I love you more than words could ever say, and I am so blessed to call you mine.

Happy Thanksgiving

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."(Psa 100:4-5)


Rev 7:12  "Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. "


This year has been unlike any other. It has harder than any other but it has left me without words for how blessed and how thankful I am. It has by far been the best!  My heart is just so full of gratitude and praise. I could honestly go on and on and on with the answered prayers, and the gifts that the Lord has given us. We are blessed. We have a warm home, and a loving family. We have God's salvation, and his amazing grace.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving today I just about burst with joy.

I have an amazing husband!!!!!

I have a fantastic son!!!!

My men!!!

 We hope that you had a Happy Thanksgiving. We hope that you remember how good our God is. How blessed we are and how much we have to be thankful for. We are thankful for each of you and the love and support that you give us. For your prayers and your kind words that encourage.

The ONE has come

Yesterday, was Carson's first birthday. What an incredible year this has been. Jam-packed with so many wonderful memories, and amazing moments. The blessings are beyond countable. All day yesterday, and as I write this, I am overwhelmed with joy, pride, and thankfulness. More than words could ever say.

Yesterday we celebrated the first birthday and had way too much fun. :)
Starting with birthday breakfast- a pancake decorated with frosting and sprinkles.

Then we headed off to the zoo.
Stopping for some lunch and a hardwood store (he-he- not part of the birthday celebration, but fun when you have a sucker in the car.)

Finally we arrived and enjoyed the LA zoo.

We then headed back home to take Papa out for a Veteran's day dinner. However, the waitress found out it was also Carson's first birthday and she brought him a special treat. :)

Happy First Birthday my handsome little man. I love you so very much!!!!


Also Happy Veteran's Day-- Thank you and may God bless each of our veterans and their families for their sacrifice on our behalf. Freedom is not free and I am proud to support and pray for our military.

Here are the last few days before the big ONE.

Blurry (sorry) but this face just cracked me up

:) Love our new spina bifida shirts.

And here is the last picture of the baby curls.
Today Cars got his first "real" haircut. I say it that way because technically he got a haircut the day he was born so that they could place the iv. Well he got a mohawk and I was'nt involved and so I do not count that. :) I do however have the hair that they shaved. They sweetly saved it and placed it in a little package for me.

"Cars, were gonna cut your hair."

"Here are the scissors."

"oh...."

"What is this fluffy stuff?"

turning out pretty good.

"Yeah, I'm good looking"

All done!

"Smile mommy, tomorrow is my first birthday"