Get Up!

Brooke loves this song "Get up!" by pure energy.  We listen to the cd so much, I have the whole thing memorized.  But I particularly like hearing her sing this song.  She sings it very loud and with pure conviction.  The song tells us to get up and move because we never know what blessing we might find. 

I have to say lately, I have been screaming this phrase at myself.  I get caught up in mind boggling dilemmas...Will Tim have a job next week, Will we be able to sell this house if we need to, Will we be able to afford this house, How can I make sure Amy is happy and taken care of, How can we see Amy more often, How can we take care of Tim's grandpa better, Is Tim ok since he has to travel so much now, Will my van continue to run, How do we deal with all these medical bills, Is Brooke ever going to overcome the rest of her medical issues, and so on.  We finally received the main bill from all surgeries.  Let's just say, we owe the hospital alone close to what we owe on our home.  And yet through all this junk, I hear that phrase...Get Up!  Do not sit around and feel sorry for yourself, move!  And so I do.

One thing I have discovered about myself is I like to get to the point as quickly as possible.  I like to be told the truth and then move forward.  Sometimes this stings a little, but you can never move forward if you are always looking back or just standing still.  So I like to just get to the point.  And I am very much this way with Brooke's medical stuff.  I do not like to dilly dally with just any doc.  I want to know he/she knows what they are doing and is well researched in the area we need.  I am so thankful that God has led us to the docs we have.  We are surrounded by really good doctors, who have made Brooke's future brighter.  I watch Brooke run and play, and how she attacks life.  She does not even worry about what she can't do.  She just focuses on what she can do!  Each day she gets up and makes the day better!  I am so thankful for her surgeries, her collar, and her amazing docs. She still has pain and has to overcome many obstacles but she trusts God.  What more could a momma ask for?  Brooke teaches me each day how precious life is!

Twinkle Toes

Brooke has wanted a pair of sketchers twinkle toes for awhile.  I have not given in because they are very expensive and this girl has a pile of shoes!  Of course grandma decided she needed some light up sneakers! :)  So she bought her a cheaper version of Twinkle Toes.  Seeing Brooke open the box and tear them out giving them a hug, warmed my mom's heart.  She was so excited to wear them and make them light up.  If she could, she would sleep in them. 

It makes me remember the smiles when Brooke would receive a special gift at the hospital.  One of the really fun times for her and myself is when a special package was delivered to the Ronald McDonald House from her aunts.  Brooke pulled out one thing after another from her package.  Each item brought a smile. 

Now I know that "things" are not what is important.  And Brooke knows this too.  But when you are facing scary things, a smile can make all the difference in the world.  And our family knows this very well!  Even in the saddest moments, a smile helps the hurt feel better. 

Our family also has seen many children not have the smiles they need to get them through.  They either do not have the family to be there for them, or something else keeps that smile away.  Brooke and Aidan decided they wanted to help some children to have a smile at least for a short time.  They want to send special packages to children in the hospital.  Many people donate to the hospital, and I am so thankful for this!  We just want to do our part.

Here is the plan....We will collect dollar items, special little toys, and cards/well wishes.  Once a month we will send a boy package and girl package to the hospital.  Our dear friend Miss Michelle will find a child who needs a little cheering up.  She will write their name on the package just like it was mailed right to them.  Our prayer is that these Packages of Joy will bring some smiles. 

Will you help us?  We could use donations, as well as hand made cards.  I am going to create a new page on this blog to explain Packages of Joy.  We hope we will be able to send these to hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses all over!  Tell your friends...have them follow this blog for updates on how they can help!  I am so proud of Aidan and Brooke.  They know the power of spreading JOY, please help us to do this!  So many of you have spread JOY to our family!!!

Promised Land

There was a show on when I was growing up called Promised Land.  The family lived in an RV and traveled all over the country helping others.  I loved it and my family wanted to become them.  When we found out about Tim's job, I suggested we sell the house and buy a camper.  I mean why not?  I think Tim liked the idea for about 5 minutes.  One thing I am realizing is life is short, place your regrets aside and move on.  I am also learning that nothing is ever easy, and our longing for peace will only be fulfilled in Heaven. 

I can only say this life has revealed to me that it is not going to pull me down!  I am determined to relish every moment I can with my kids, husband, parents, and friends.  To make memories every day.  To smile at the smallest things, because they are what is important.  In a moment all can change, but in the end this is not our home!

Today was Tim's last day.  And I had to tackle 2 doc appointments with 3 kids.  So the day did not look very bright.  The good news- Tim has 5 more weeks worth of work.  So thankfully we have a job for awhile and health insurance.  Can I say how thankful I am for my husband!  He is a rock that holds this family together.  I am proud of his courage and the way he is the best dad and husband he can be.   I know this is hard for him, but he is staying strong.  And I love that about him!

We did get other good news.  Brooke's visit with the Orthopedic Surgeon went well.  He told us she does not actually have Scoliosis.  She does have a slight curve in spine, but it is nothing to worry about.  He said her hips are off and that is because her one leg is slightly longer than the other.  He told us this happens in 5% of the population.  He told us the curve is either the result of Chiari, Tethered Cord, or the legs.  He is not overly concerned, but wants to monitor her.  So we will see him in a year!  Hooray!

Before we saw the Ortho, we had been to the Gastro Doc.  It did not go so well.  He was a great doc, and was very impressed.  But after conversation, he diagnosed her with a neurogenic bowel.  So now we can add that with the neurogenic bladder.  Because I want to protect Brooke's privacy I will only speak of some things online.  I do not mind discussing this with people, just not here.  He did tell me he sees this in patients with Spina Bifida.  There are those words again!  I do believe this Spina Bifida Occult plays a bigger role than some docs may think.  He agreed with me.  He was also very surprised to hear her Dural Sac was located at the L4 vertebra.  He feels there is a correlation between all this.  What it all boils down to is Brooke will probably need another surgery to help her.  Ugh.  My poor brave girl....how do I even begin to wrap my mind around this.  It will probably not be for a few years, but still.  And then it will be a lifelong condition.  How many life long conditions can a little body handle before the smiles start to fade? 

I am so proud of my girl.  I do not want this condition or any others to make her feel defeated.  I want her to know that the strength is within her.  The will to smile through the tears is something she can do.  I pray that she gets down on those knees, and cries for help when she just does not understand why she is where she is.  And I pray that God hears her prayer and lifts her up.  I can only be a support, but I know He can be her strength.  I think many of us think that the Promised Land is somewhere we can find on Earth.  But the reality is...it is not.  This song has been playing on the radio, and my crazy friend(you know who you are) at work has been playing it nonstop! :) I heard it again today.  The same words always stick out to me...This is not our home!  Thank God!