Blur

The past four days have been a blur.  I barely remember anything.

Thursday morning, as I was getting the kids and I ready for school, my phone beeped.  It was a text from my stepmom, telling me my cousin was in ICU.  I immediately texted back, asking if I should skip class to come up there.  She texted me back that it was up to me.  I had a review for an upcoming exam (which is now tomorrow) and several assignments due, so the entire drive to Monster Boy's school was filled with me mentally arguing with myself over whether or not I should go to class or the hospital.  (I should clarify that this cousin has multiple health problems and this is not the first time he's been hospitalized for things).  I had finally decided I would try to squeeze in a quick trip to the hospital (conveniently located across the street from Monster Boy's school) and then head on to class.  Well, as I was pulling in to the parking lot, my phone rang.  It was my dad.  And he was crying.  And he told me I should come NOW.  That is NEVER a good sign.  Ever.  I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have actually seen my father cry.  So, there I am in the parking lot with Miss Sunshine, knowing I can't take her in to the hospital, trying to figure out what to do.  My dad says he will wait outside with her while I go in.  I call Daddy Mac and ask him to come get her - I am already in tears at this point and haven't even made it inside the hospital.  He leaves work and comes to get her as I head downstairs.  I get to the ICU and every single one of my family members is there, and crying.  This is not good.  The next few hours passed in a blur, but mainly I remember praying.  HARD.  For any kind of miracle God could give us, but mostly to please save my cousin.  And then, just when the doctors were saying no, he turned a corner.   He is still in critical condition, and as of last night was still on a ventilator (although they are supposed to try taking it out today).  But, he is still alive.  And four days ago, they told us he wouldn't be.  Each day he gets stronger and stronger.  Each minute is a miracle for us.

I have never believed as much in the power of prayer as I do now.  Because this weekend, I saw it with my own eyes.

Remembrance...

All day today, I remembered.

I remembered being woken up by a phone call from a friend, asking if I thought a mutual friend of ours was okay.  I was ALL kinds of confused.  And then she clued me in - the first tower had been hit at the World Trade Center, as well as the Pentagon.  Our friend worked at the Pentagon (she was not there that day, thankfully).

I remember heading to class, listening in horror to my car radio as the second tower was hit.

I remember coming out of class, going to the student union to get a drink, and seeing everyone standing in silence and shock, watching as the towers fell.

I remember going to class where my professors were in as much shock as the rest of us, and pretty much just sat there for the hour of time we were there.

I remember the days of fear that followed - my sister was supposed to be on a flight that day to come home for a visit - obviously her flight was canceled.  She made it home a week later, and I remember being nervous the entire time I knew she was on the plane.

I remember life before 9/11/2001.  And I know life after.

My children will never know a life where that day does not exist.  It was before their time, but, much like Vietnam was before mine, they will hear the stories, they will see the pictures, and they will grow up knowing that their world is forever different because of what happened.

And today, ten years later, I still remember.  I will ALWAYS remember.

I have a ladybug in my EYE!

Miss Sunshine has developed quite the imagination (and personality) lately.  We had a very interesting conversation on my way to work the other day, and it went something like this:

(I am driving and Miss Sunshine is in her car seat behind me.)
Miss Sunshine - "Oh no!  I have something in my EYE!"
Me - "Something in your eye??  What is it?"
Miss Sunshine - "I don't know.  It's a LADYBUG!"
Me (trying not to laugh) - "A ladybug?!  How did a ladybug get in your eye?"
Miss Sunshine - "I don't know.  It's a BABY ladybug."
Me (still trying to hold in the laughter) - "A baby ladybug, huh?"
Miss Sunshine - "Yeah.  Don't worry, he's not scawy"
Me (little giggles are beginning to sneak out) - "Oh, well, I'm glad he's not scary then."
Miss Sunshine - "Yeah.  Don't huwt him!  Don't squish him!"
Me (giggling harder) - "No, we wouldn't want to hurt him.  That would not be nice."
(I have reached the gym, and open the door to take her out)
Miss Sunshine - "Be caweful.  He is scawed of you!"
Me (cracking up at this point) - "He's scared of me?  Why is he scared of me?"
Miss Sunshine - "I don't know, but he is scawed.  You must be scawy.  Be nice, okay Mommy?"
Me (almost in tears at this point) - "Okay, I'll be nice.  Let's put him down now so we can go to work, okay?"
Miss Sunshine - "Okay.  I put him wight hewe, okay?  You stay hewe baby ladybug.  I see you later.  But don't get in my eye again, okay ladybug?"

Sigh.  That was the best day I've had in a long time.

It is that time of year again!

September is Craniofacial Acceptance month!

I'd like to post a note that I posted on Facebook for our first Craniofacial Acceptance Month.  I feel like so much of what I posted then still applies now...

We have joined a group called the Children's Craniofacial Association. Averie's cleft palate is considered a craniofacial anomaly. The CCA has designated September as Craniofacial Acceptance Month, and I am trying to help get the word out. There are so many different craniofacial defects, and while we are blessed that Averie's defect is fully correctable, so many of these kids will go through difficult and painful surgeries, recoveries, and even ridicule over the course of their lives. I think it is important for everyone to spend a little time educating themselves about craniofacial defects and what they could do in their area to help. You can visit the website ccakids.org for more information about their work and the types of anomalies they provide assistance for. They are also selling bracelets similar to the Live Strong bracelets as a fundraiser. If you are interested in purchasing a bracelet (for $1 each), please feel free to contact me. They are available in five different colors - purple, royal blue, lime green, teal and orange. Help us spread the word!


You can find more information on the Children's Craniofacial Association HERE.  


It would mean a lot to us and our family if you would all take a few minutes to just check out what the CCA is all about, perhaps even consider a small donation, or take the time to educate someone else you know about what our children face daily.