Merry Christmas

This year Christmas seemed a lot more relaxed. We didn't wake anyone up. Well, not until 10 o'clock anyway - then Daddy couldn't take it anymore. Alec was the first one up and he got his stocking and did his 'treasure hunt'. I take 3x5 cards and write rhymes and clues on them and they have to search for each one in turn until they find the special gift. We used to do a Santa gift, but I wasn't comfortable with that, so that is why I came up with the 'treasure hunt'. I don't have anything against Santa - I just didn't like lying to my kids. The kids enjoy the hunt almost as much as the gift. lol They look forward to it each year and always ask me to make sure I am going to do it.

We went with quite a bit less this year for gifts. I don't think anyone was disappointed. They all got the 1 gift that they had wanted the most.

After a little while, Justin got up and got his stocking and did his hunt. Then around 10 Daddy couldn't take it anymore ~ he went and woke Saira up. Marcus woke up at about the same time. So, after they went through their stockings and did their hunts, then we all opened our presents. It was nice to not be rushed and to have kids that had enough sleep. The day went on without grumpiness or grouchiness taking over. The boys are playing video games and Saira is riding her scooter around the house. Praise God we have our house - she actually has room to do that!

Well, Merry Christmas to you all. May your hearts be filled with joy, peace, and love. I have a new sense of peace right now that I haven't felt in awhile. Thank you Jesus!

Some days.............

I love my kids! Remind me of that please!? They are normal kids - sometimes they don't listen. I holler and they get louder and louder. My husband turns the tv up louder and louder. Right now I can barely even think - they are all being so loud. It doesn't change how much I love them, but I wish there were a volume control. When I holler for quiet, my husband doesn't say a word. He just turns the tv louder. I think if he would help voice his opinion to them instead of always to just me, there might be better results. I have stopped hollering. It has been about 5 minutes and they aren't any quieter. My husband just looks at me and then at them. What does he want me to say? I am out of things to say. If it doesn't bother him enough to say something - why should I let it bother me? It really doesn't bother me - other than the sheer volume of it all. But I have decided not to stress myself out, trying to keep them quiet for him. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband. I just hate that he puts me in the roll of the bad guy. Well the tv just went up even louder. He doesn't say anything because he doesn't want the kids mad at him. Well, about 10 minutes later, the kids have toned it down a little, but the tv is still blaring. I will probably hear about it later. What do I say? That I hate yelling at them as much as he does? It is true - I would rather be their friend. But I also know that God gave me a responsibility to raise these kids right. That means I need to be their parent not their friend. In all honesty-I feel like they respect me more than they do him. I encourge them to do things for their father and show him respect. I don't know if he does the same for me. I do know that my kids like to hang out with me. Even their friends like to hang out with them and me. Well, my instigator of a son, just stopped and got everyone ice cream. It is quiet now except for the tv. Honey, can you turn the tv down? Please?!?!?

NEVER TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED....

Well, that is something that I should know by heart by now. Of course, I always forget. My 15 year old son just had another surgery. That makes him very close to 30 surgeries now. This was supposed to be 'a piece of cake' compared to a lot of the others that he has been through. Well,..... that was our first mistake - thinking this was going to be easy. This has turned out to be one of the most eventful surgeries with the most setbacks that he has ever experienced. He has really been tested this time through. In the moment, he gets frustrated - who wouldn't? But once the pain and aggrivation passes - he is back to himself. He amazes me with his strength.

I wrote this in 2005. It still applies today. Although our life isn't typical ~ I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Blessings,
Kathi

Good evening. My oldest son was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. That was 13 years ago! Wow! Honestly, they told me right away that I could always have an abortion. Here I was in shock and they were saying that to me. This is right after they gave me the worst prognosis possible. I wonder how many women are overwhelmed and actually do it. I was more sickend at the thought of doing something like that to the child I felt moving inside of me than I was at the possibility of a handicapped child. They basically told me that he would be mentally challenged and pretty much a 'vegetable' (for lack of a better word - I don't mean to offend). They said he would be stuck in a wheelchair forever and never amount to anything. I will tell you that he has turned out to be an awesome kid who has inspired many people. He has done almost everything they said he never would. I think about all of the things I would have missed out on had I made that horrible decision. Of course I wouldn't have to deal with surgeries, stress, fear, worry, inconviences, disruptions, accomodations, etc. But I also wouldn't have to deal with seeing a son walk that they said never would, see him learn to read and do math when they said he never would, holding that precious baby in my arms, raising awareness in others, seeing him inspire others and much, much, much more! Thanks and God Bless,
Kathi

MY SON ~ MY HERO

This is something I wrote a few years ago. This amazing kid is now 15 years old. His number of surgeries have almost tripled since I wrote this, and my perspective of him hasn't changed a bit.
I hope you enjoy reading this and it gives you a small glimpse into our lives.
Blessings,
Kathi

I am always sitting here wanting to write. I always seem to have plenty to say, however when it comes to writing, I draw a blank. Tomorrow my son goes in for yet another surgery. I know that he is luckier than some, but it still doesn't seem fair that he should number more in surgeries than he does in age. He is such a happy, easy going, easy to get along with kid that you would not know that he has endured what he has. He will be nine this June. Wow, where have the years gone? He was born with Myelomeningocele, otherwise known as Spina Bifida. He was also born with Hydrocephalus. I am not going to go into all of the details of what that all means. (Maybe that will be the next publication.) I will list all of his surgeries to date:At 1 day old - They repaired his back.At 2 weeks old - They placed a VP Shunt.At 2 months old - They did a shunt revision.At 2 ½ months old - They did another shunt revision.At 18 months old - They did a Tendon Release - both feet.At 6 years old - They did a Hip Osteotomy and Tendon Reversal on both feet.At 8 years old - They did a Tethered Cord Release (on his back).1 week later, they did 2 shunt revisions back to back.That brings us up to number 10. Tomorrow they are taking the plate and screws out of his hip that they put in 2 years ago. Is he scared? Yes he is! Who wouldn’t be? In my opinion, he has gone through more than any kid should have to. I have four kids altogether and they are all great! In my honest opinion, I think God chose him because He knew that this son would have the personality to handle anything thrown his way. My other kids, as great as they are, would not be able to handle what he goes through.He accepts the fact that he is different. He goes with the flow. He has such a charming personality and happy disposition that people notice right away when he isn’t himself. Everyone that meets him tells me how fantastic he is. As his Mom, I know this. As his Mom, I also lose sight of this. He is a typical kid. He balks when I tell him to do his chores. He makes excuses for not getting ready when asked. He begs to play one more computer game. In between surgeries, he is just another kid. When he has to have a surgery ~ HE IS MY HERO! He is brave, he is strong, he is courageous, he is MY SON!