We're In Disney World!

I can't wait to post pictures so that you all may see Jace's expressions! But I will have to wait until I get home because I didn't bring my laptop! Grrr...so I am typing from my phone--please excuse the typos!!

Today we are in Disneys Epcot. We are waiting for Ron And the girls to get off of test track. I'll keep you updated so stay tuned!!

What I'm Thankful For...

....too many to name, really.  But what really stands out to me, besides the obvious gift of my salvation, are all of my children.

Alex was my first born. I was 28 and very self-centered.  I wanted a baby but didn't think I had what it took to be a mom.  Until the moment she was placed in my arms.  It was the very moment our eyes locked- that look of curiosity, overwhelming love and joy-in both of us, that changed my life forever.  It was Alex who the Lord chose to draw me into the everlasting awe that I have for Him to this day.

Seven years later, AvaGrace arrived.  After two restless nights without sleep my water broke at 2:30 am.  She was born not many hours afterward, which is just like my AvaGrace, to come into this world quickly all the while embracing it.  Still at seven years old, she is my free spirited child, filled with compassion and love, embracing each moment-always with a smile.


Nicholas was a tough delivery.  Any veteran mom would think the third baby would birth himself, right?  Not quite.  Nicholas was stuck.  Big time.  The doctors underestimated Nick's weight.  After pushing for what seemed like forever (ok, seriously, maybe an hour tops), he was placed on my belly.  I couldn't believe how much that baby weighed!  An ounce shy of 10 pounds! The nurse teasingly told me I gave birth to a toddler!  Anyone who knows my Nicholas also knows his stubborn nature.  His birth was nothing different.  But oh how happy I was to get a boy!  He is still stubborn at times, but I am confident God made him this way for a reason.        

And now there is Jace.  I'll never know what his birth was like.  I didn't hold his brand new tiny body in my arms.  It wasn't my breast that nurtured and soothed him.  I never heard his first cry.  It wasn't the smell of my skin that comforted him.  The womb in which he was made was not mine.  But it isn't the womb that makes the baby anyway.  Not without the say so of the Lord.  It was the Lord who knit him in that womb (Psalm 139:19).  It was the Lord that used his birth mother to carry him.  And it was the Lord who chose me to be his mom.  My hands feed and clothe him now.  My arms carry him.  It is the smell of my skin that comforts him.  I never gave birth to Jace, but he fills my heart the very same way each of the others do, and I can't remember what life was like before he arrived.

These are the blessings I am thankful for.  All of my children.

  ...May they glorify You in all they do in this world each and every day, Lord...

November Happenings

No much to update.  Jace is still battling this skin infection?  foliculitis?  dermatitis?  Three different dr visits and $100 in copays later, we still can't get a definitive answer. However, the topical steroid creme IS working, thank GOD...It is still covering his body but to a lesser degree.  More spots are fading daily.

He has started school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays--and LOVES it.  Loves the bus, the drivers, the teacher, the singing and games...all of it.  He happily jumps out of bed in the mornings to get dressed and start his days.  I wonder what he thinks on Thursdays and Fridays when it's just him and me hanging out.  On those days he's busy helping me clean, do laundry, and go for wagon rides.  He loves it outside too.  Can't wait to take him camping next summer!

We leave for Disney World in two weeks....to see his reaction to all of the visual stimulation and fun there will be absolutely priceless!  His brother and sisters are excited for him to see it too.  

Jace still loves to kiss....Finally, Nicholas caved and actually lets him do it.  For months he was completely adamant in his refusal to accept a kiss from a boy-brother or otherwise!  We convinced him that it's ok because Jace's is a baby, not a 'big boy' like Nicholas (wink, wink).  It worked.


Next week we have another appointment with JH Cochlear Center to proceed with the necessary steps pre-surgery.  He will be fitted for hearing aids (which will do nothing), have a speech therapy session, and other auditory tests.  We had to put things on hold until these bumps went away!  TWO WEEKS of itching, scratching, oatmeal baths, calamine lotions and sleepless nights....Grrr....BUT '...joy comes in the morning...', right?

Chicken Pox....or Something Else?

You tell me...

Can't get doctors to agree...one says folliculitis and the other says chicken pox.  All I really know is that Jace is one itchy little boy.  He is scratching all day, poor thing.  It started out on his back by the top of his pull-up.  I really thought it was bug bites; flea, bed bugs--who knows.  Then it traveled up the back to his chest.  From there to his neck and hair line.  He even had a blister on his tongue.  Now he is covered pretty much all over but it still seems mild to me-there aren't any other 'blisters' but they do scab over.  I am keeping him home just in case it is chicken pox and I am treating it likewise.

We are proceeding with the cochlear implant planning, but not sure where just yet because of insurance reasons.  I will keep you posted on the process.  We meet again with Hopkins for hearing aid testing (waste of time yet required by law), audio skills and speech next Tuesday.  Looking forward to it!!

xo,
Shannon