Decisions

Aaron and I have a lot of decisions to make soon. Aaron resigned from our church here in Louisville as the youth pastor. It is a very tough situation and we know that God has a bigger plan that we just can't see right now. We love the students at that church and have made some great friends. We are living right now in a house that the church owns and let us live in while Aaron was on staff there. One of the decisions we have to make is where we will be living. Aaron doesn't have much time left in school and we don't know where God will call us when he is finished. We are praying right now for an answer on where we should go as far as our home. I told the boys yesterday that we were going to be moving and Isaac was really upset. He just doesn't understand why. I reassured him he will get to stay in school with his friends and that seemed to make things a little better. As hard as this has been, we definetly already see some things we can be thankful for. One big thing is that we still have medical insurance. I was reminded last night how important that was when Cade had one of his bad headaches. He has his neurosurgeon appointment coming up on September 2nd and we are so thankful that we won't have to worry about insurance with all the other things on our plate right now.

As our friends, we just really need your prayers. Like I said we have lots of decisions to make especially, what to do about our home. Also, Aaron has a class load this semester and is also worrying about our financial situation. He is a little overwhelmed right now. I was able to work an extra day at my job and he has several painting opportunities coming up. Don't forget our massive dog we have too! I am not real sure what we will do with Bella but I do know it would kill the boys if we have to get rid of her.

We know that we serve a God who is upset and hurting with us right now and also is going to take care of us. I was reminded this morning of a few verses in James. James 1:2-4 says "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

We have such awesome friends! Several of our friends have volunteered their homes for us to stay with them, offered Aaron painting work and offered to help with the packing. We have been blessed in so many ways already through this and can't wait to see what God has in store through this situation that doesn't seem to0 fun right now.

Summer Vacation

The Family at the Mets game!

Everytime a pitch was thrown, Cade was swinging from the stands with his bat. It was too cute!

My boys enjoying a Nathan's Hot Dog.

This is as close as we got to the Statue of Liberty. The line was so long to ride the ferry out there. The boys were so excited to just get this close!

Where the twin towers were and the rebuilding going on.

Aaron on the double decker tour bus!

We got to go to New York this summer for our family vacation. We have some friends who live there and they let us stay with them. Thanks Sean and Christina!

We went on a tour of the city one day. We took a train from the little town we were staying in to Grand central Station. Cade loved that train. He says the train and bus were some of his favorites! When we got in the city we took a double decker bus tour where they have a guide who tells you where and what everything is. There was 25 stops and you could get out at any of them and then just catch the next bus to the next stop. We got out at the site of the World Trade Center and Statue of Liberty. We tried to explain to the boys what happend on 9/11 but they just couldn't understand why someone would want to run a plane into buildings. Cade said those people must not of liked how tall the buildings were. Isaac was so excited to see the Statue of Liberty. He was telling some random girl next to him that he was looking at it. It was too cute! We also stopped and ate at a TGI Fridays. Everyone says that the food is expensive but until you see a menu with a $7.95 kids macaroni do you really understand how expensive!

We also went to Coney Island, ate at Nathan's Hot Dogs and the New York Aquarium. We weren't very impressed with the Aquarium or Coney's Island but we got a good hot dog and the kids seemed to enjoy the day.

The night before we left we got to go to the Mets vs. Rockies baseball game. It was so much fun! In the past, the boys haven't lasted very long but at this game they really enjoyed it and Cade was wanting to get out there and play with them.

July was such a busy month. I think I was only home for a total of one week the whole month. We enjoyed our traveling but I am glad to be back home. We are getting ready for the next school year to start. Aaron starts Monday and Isaac on the 20th. Aaron is going to be a Senior and only has two semesters left of his undergraduate. Isaac is starting 2nd grade at Portland Christian School where he went last year. He really enjoyed 1st grade and said yesterday that he was ready to go back to school. Definetly what a mom wants to hear!

I am still working at a Mothers Day Out as the Assistant Director, so Cade goes there with me and is learning his letters and numbers and is getting pretty good at writing his name. He will be 5 in October but his late birthday has him starting Kindergarten next year. I am not complaining. It will be sad when my baby goes off to school too.

I haven't blogged in a month and I was going to post some pictures with this but I have lost my cord that connects my camera to my computer. So I am blogging but you won't get to see any of the fun pictures to go along with it.

We have had such a busy summer. I never thought we were going to be this busy. At the end of May, Cade went to stay with my parents and had to come back home early so we could have all of his tests run. My mom came back with me to Louisville and when she went home she took Isaac with her. The plan was for both boys to stay with my parents while I went to Mfuge with Aaron and the youth. My grandfather was living with my mom and wasn't doing well, so I decided I wouldn't go to camp and me and Cade would just go Mississippi to see my family in Mississippi. My grandfather passed away a week after I got there. He had cancer and had just gotten really weak and wasn't eating. He was 87 years old and was tired. Aaron left camp on Saturday and headed to Mississippi. He did my grandpas funeral service so we just stayed another week in Mississippi. So Isaac was in Mississippi for a whole month and we were all gone half of the month of June. It wasn't our orginal plan for the summer but I am glad I got to be with my family.

We had some friends come visit us last week and stayed all week. They helped me take up the carpet in our living room and dining room. We sanded and stained the hardwood floors and I really like it. We also went to Indiana and went shopping at the outlet mall. It was a fun week. (had some good pics of the fun we had and the cookout but of course I can't get from my camera to my computer)

Aaron has been out of town since Thursday and will come home tomorrow night real late. Then we will be leaving Friday morning for our family vacation. We are going to New York this year and will be staying with some of our friends. Cade doesn't really know where we are going but Isaac has a little idea. He is really excited about seeing the Statue of Liberty. I have heard it is booked up until September, so we won't get to go inside but he will get to see it up close. None of us has ever been to New York so we are real excited about going.

Cade is doing well and our appointment with the Neurosurgeon is getting closer. It is on September 2nd and we are anxious to hear what he has to say and where we will go from here.

Hopefully I can get another cord to the camera and will be able to at least post some pics from our trip to New York.

The Spiderman

Cade was given a blow up spiderman. He got it tonight and thinks it is the greatest thing ever. Aaron told him to be careful with it and make sure Bella doesn't get a hold of it because she would pop it. So Cade put it on the bed so Bella couldn't get it while he got his pajamas on and brushed his teeth. I was in my room and Cade was in the bathroom when Bella started barking. I went to see what she was barking at (it is usually a bird but it was dark and no birds were out) and found her in Cade's room barking at the blow up spiderman. This wasn't just a little bark she was real upset about this spiderman. So my massive 75 lb. dog was terrified of Cade's blow up spiderman. Aaron tried to get her to come smell it so she wouldn't be so scared but she ran outside away from the spiderman.




It is kinda hard to tell how big she is but that is the edge of our bed. Her head is a lot higher than our bed.

Cade and his spiderman. I think he is a little attached!

We finally have a Neurosurgeon appointment but.....

It isn't until September 2ND. I heard from the Pediatrician last night and talked to the nurse today. The Pediatrician was just calling me to make sure I didn't have any questions that she could try to help answer. She also wants to try Cade on some medicine for his headaches to see if maybe some of them are migraines and he can get some relief. The nurse called today to let us know that when we would be able to get in to see the Neurosurgeon. We will be getting some information on Chiari Malformation and also instructions on keeping a journal. I am not real sure what the journal is about but I do know I will be keeping it until we go see the doctor in September. The nurse also said that Cade's condition isn't severe enough right now to require surgery. The Syrinx is the bubble on his spinal cord and it isn't big enough right now to do any damage. So we will be taking him for MRI's every 6 months to a year to keep an eye on things.

I am so thankful for every ones prayers and concerns. I am also thankful that this isn't as severe as it could of been and that Cade doesn't have something life threatening. We are really able to stand back and see God's hand in all of this and taking care of Cade. My dad said to me today that even though it won't be fun having MRI's so often, the longer we can keep from having surgery or any kind of treatment the better technology will be when they do have to do something.

Cade has done really well with all of his tests and doctors appointments. He did ask me today if he was going to have to go back to the doctor. I told him we had to go back to talk to the doctor next time. He was so happy we only had to talk and they weren't putting that sticky tape and needle in his arm again.

Update

We heard from the doctor's office today. They said that the MRI on Monday just confirmed that Cade has the Arnold Chiari Malformation. We should hear something tomorrow about when we will be able to get in to see the Neurosurgeon. So we pretty much just have to wait and see when we can get into to see him. I was telling my friend today that this is really the worst part. Knowing your child has something and not being able to talk to the doctor who will be treating him.

Thanks everyone again for the prayers and encouragement. We will keep you updated on whatever we here!

Cade

Cade right before they took him back for his MRI. He didn't really know what was going on.

You can tell he was a little nervous but he did so good.

Most of you know Cade has been having some tests run. He fell three weeks ago (Mothers Day Weekend) and we ended up in the ER with a concussion. We had a CT scan done and the ER doctor said there was no bleed and he just had a mild concussion. This past week I had gone to Birmingham, AL to stay with Aaron's mom in the hospital while she was monitored for her seizures. I stayed with her 4 nights and then went to Mobile, AL to spend some time with my friend from elementary school. Cade had ridden with me to Birmingham and my mom met me there and took him to her house. The plan was for Cade to stay with my parents for 2 weeks. So I was in Mobile enjoying some time alone with my friend. It was Tuesday and we were at the outlet mall in Foley, AL. Aaron called me and said we had gotten a certified letter in the mail from the Pediatricians office saying they had been trying to get in touch with us regarding Cade's CT scan and our telephone numbers were not correct. (they had the right numbers but were using the Mississippi area code). They said it was very important we contacted them. So Aaron told me this after he had called and left a message for the doctor to call him regarding the results. I was a nervous but didn't think too much about it, thinking that it just had to be officially discussed with us by the Pediatrician. Aaron called me back within 10 minutes. The doctor said that Cade's CT scan showed a vascular space and could be a cyst and they needed to do a MRI to determine what it was. I sat at the outlet mall on the phone with Aaron crying and making plans for me getting from Mobile to Mississippi to Kentucky. I called my mom and we decided we would leave that day and she would meet me in Birmingham and ride to Kentucky with me. I left Mobile at 4:30 in the afternoon and my mom, Cade and I got to my house at 3:30 the next morning. I didn't know when we would be able to get in to do the MRI and didn't want to be out of town when we got the call. The doctors office called the next day and had us scheduled for his MRI on Thursday at 2:30. They had to sedate Cade so he couldn't eat for 8 hours before and couldn't drink 2 hours before the scan. For a 4 year old who likes to eat, I was concerned about him not getting to eat for so long. He really did very well and didn't complain much at all about being hungry. I was also concerned about the iv they would be putting in his arm. I think God really calmed him and he didn't cry or get upset the whole time we were there except when they took the tape off his arm from the iv.

We left the hospital with one sleepy little boy who was sleepily talking about going to Chuck-E-Cheese. I had told Cade he could eat anywhere he wanted after the test since he couldn't eat all morning. I didn't realize he would be so sleepy and groggy from the medicine but he sure didn't forget I said he could go. So we headed to Chuck-E-Cheese. On the way the Doctor called with Cade's test results. She explained that Cade's brain was low on his neck and he also had a bubble in his spinal cord. I pretty much got off the phone having no idea what she was talking about except we were being referred to a neurosurgeon and he needed another MRI of his whole spine. My friend Christina told me her friends dad was a neurosurgeon and if I had any questions to let her know. She called her friend and the neurosurgeon called me to help explain what the Radiologist told me earlier. Cade has something called Arnold-Chiari Malformaion which is the brain being low on his neck and also has a syringohydromyelia which is the bubble on the spinal cord. It really helped having a doctor explain things and let me ask all the questions I had.

So we are going tomorrow at 12 for Cade to be sedated again and have the MRI on his full spine. This MRI will take 45 minutes. I am not sure how long it will take to get the results. I do know the MRI results will be sent to the neurosurgeon. Depending on how severe things are will determine how quick we get in with the neurosurgeon.

We are so thankful for all the prayers and words of encouragement from all of our friends. We also feel like Cade having the concussion 3 weeks ago was a blessing. Most of the time this is not usually found until people are in their 20's and the side effects are numbness in arms and legs. Right now Cade does has the headaches which cause him to get sick but they aren't everyday headaches. Lots of things we are thankful for!

Scary Night

We spent last night in the er at Kosair Children's Hospital. Cade and Isaac went with their friends to Puzzles Fun Dome. Aaron and I didn't go and were getting to enjoy a night out eating sushi, just the two of us. When we got done eating, my friend who had taken the boys called me and said Cade had fallen. He was going to get in one of the blow up bouncy things and when he jumped on the edge someone else bounced him back out. He only fell about 2 or 3 feet but the extra bounce and landing on a hard concrete floor didn't help. He didn't get down and play anymore and wouldn't eat and all he wanted to do was sleep. By the time Aaron and I had gotten to him, he had thrown up twice and was half asleep. I think this is the scarest I have been for one of my children since I had Isaac early at 23 weeks. Aaron and I went to the hospital where he threw up 3 more times and kept trying to fall asleep. After his CT scan, he was allowed to finally fall asleep. The doctor came in and said he had a mild concussion but was concerned about him getting dehydrated. They gave him some medicine to calm his stomach and then gave him something to drink to see if he could keep it down. So at about 12:30 after Cade had kept some fluids down, they let us go home.

Cade slept right in between Aaron and I and I woke up every couple of hours to check on him and make sure he was still breathing. He woke up this morning saying he was very thirsty. He has been laying around and fell back asleep but overall seems to be doing a lot better. He still says he has a headache but nothing a little tylenol hasn't seem to help. As a matter of fact, he was a little upset he couldn't go to church this morning!

We are so thankful that our little boy is ok. We will go back either today or tomorrow and have his Peditrician check him out just to make sure he is responding normally. Thanks to all of our friends and family who prayed for us!

Battle of the Bounce Champions!!!!

Our friend Josh asked Aaron to do a relay with him and 2 other guys called Battle of the Bounce. It is to raise money for Christian Care Community. It is also part of the Kentucky Derby Celebrations. There were 4 different legs. Aaron did the rock climbing wall, Joe was in the inflatable ball, Josh did the blow up obstacle course and Lawrence road on the blow up pony. Our boys won the relay! They came in first place out of 30 teams and set a course record. They also beat the fire and police department who are the usual winners!

We have lived in Louisville for almost 2 years now. (August will be 2) So this is our second year to be here for the Derby Celebrations but our first year to actually participate in the fun festivities. All of us wives and the kiddos got to go down and watch our boys! They also will get to be in the Pegasus Parade tomorrow representing the Champions of the Battle of the Bounce.

Aaron and Cade posing with the inflatable trophy!

The guys being announced as the winners and going out to accept their trophy!

Cade loves saying cheese and taking pictures

Aaron getting ready for his event, The Rock Climbing Wall.

The Team. Aaron, Joe, Josh and Lawrence

Aaron's First Mini Marathon

Aaron decided about 6 six weeks ago or so that he wanted to start running. So he started running with some of our friends from church. Then he decided he was going to run a 10K they had signed up for. That is a 6 mile run. He ran that and did awesome! He found out he really enjoys running. After that run he signed up for the Papa Johns 10 miler and also the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon. If you read the post before this one you know that Aaron hurt his knee and it was painful for him to walk much less run. He ran the 10 miler in pain for the whole run. He went to the doctor and was told to ice his knee and be sure to stretch it. So he was very anxious about the 13.1 miles he was going to run in the marathon. Today he ran the marathon and finished! He had to walk a little bit when his knee would start to bother him. Overall he said the pain wasn't too bad. One of our friends had given him some scripture to read for each mile he ran. He said that really helped get him through and was the biggest encouragement. Thanks Lela for being so thoughtful and encouraging to all the runners!

The running crew! Susan, Joe, Aaron and Jodi

Aaron with his iced knee after the race.

Aaron and Joe in their bright orange so we could find them in the 12,000 people running the marathon.

Aaron is the orange dot sprinting to the finish line!

This is me and Caisey. We were the cheerleaders at all the races. It was so much fun being able to be a part of this and cheer them on.

Aaron is also almost finished with this semester of school. He has next week of exams and then he will be done. He has been meeting with the Youth Advisors about what classes he has left to take and when he will be able to graduate. We thougth he would be done in December but because of the way the classes fall he won't be able to finish until May of 2010. He will still be taking a summer class this summer so that his semester loads won't be to much.

Isaac and Cade have been enjoying the long days. We are all ready for summer and things to slow down. The boys have been able to wear shorts the past couple of days and they have loved it.

Anxious

I got a good report from the orthopedic yesterday. He said that I possibly have a torn tendion, don't even think that I am going to begin to try to spell it. I can't even say which one it is. He said there is nothing that can be done about and he even said that he did the same thing running one time. He said that I can run the half-marathon, but I am anxious about it. I am excited but nervous. I want to go run little to see if my knee is going to let me. The doc told me to ice it everyday and stretch it everyday. We will see what Saturday bring. It is suppose to be a beautiful day and I pray that my knee will allow me to finish the 13.1 miles. Please pray that my knee will be able to handle it.

What is a Blog

This is Aaron. Sarah told me that she had made us a blog. Many of our friends have one and it is a easy way to keep people informed of what is going on our lives. Pretty cool. So as I sit here trying to figure this thing out I thought I would write something. I have a feeling that Sarah will do most of the writing but I wanted to give it a shot too.
Right now I am thinking of all the papers and projects and presentations that I have due in the next two weeks. I just have one question to myself; why do I procrastinate so much!!!
I am also thinking about going to the orthopedic in the morning to get my knee looked at again. I continue to have hope and pray that the doctor will tell me that it is ok for me to run the half marathon Saturday. For those of you that may not know, a half marathon is 13.1 miles. Not just a quick jog around the block. But I have always liked to run and thanks to some great friends, Joe and Susan Dotson, and also the insiration from Lela McFarland, I have, over the past few months really got into running and I am really enjoying it. All except for the knee part, but hopefully soon that will be better.
Things are crazy busy right now and God continues to amaze me at how He is blessing our family. He never ceases to amaze me.
I am going to go now and get started on some school work or I may just go to bed; who knows yet!!!

Isaac's Class trip to the zoo

Thunder over Louisville!

We went to Thunder over Louisville last night. It was our first time to go. It was definetly an experience we won't forget. The boys really enjoyed it. They weren't too fond of how loud the airshow was but overall they had a really good time. We had some awesome seats! A friend of ours from church is a policeman and he gave us some passes to sit with the Policemen and their friends and families. So we weren't in the big crowds of people.

Cade is at home with me this morning while Aaron and Isaac are at church. He has had a long weekend. He started running a high fever Friday. I couldn't ever get it to completely break so I took him to the doctor Friday night. He was complaining of a sore throat and also had an upset stomach. From what everyone tells me, that is exactly what strep throat sounds like. So of course that is what he had. He has been in a really good mood but extremely worn out. So the best part is, I was at the zoo Friday with Isaac's class for a field trip when Cade starting getting sick. My friend Susan was watching Cade for me. I was just going to leave the field trip and go get Cade since he was running fever and not feeling well. As I am going to leave the zoo it is then that it clicks that I rode the bus with Isaac and his class to the zoo. Nothing like having a sick baby and not being able to go get him! Thankfully Aaron got out of class early and was able to go get him earlier.

My First Blog!

I have decided to start blogging. I have several friends who do it and have encouraged me to also do it. It will be an easy way for the grandparents to see what we are doing and to be able to look at the pictures of the boys. That is, if they can figure out how to work the blog!