Belated Happy New Year

Oh my, how time just flies! Happy New Year!! This year I hope everyone laughs louder, smiles wider, stands taller,hugs longer, dances crazier, lives grander and loves louder!! Thats my mission this year! So many people, so many problems, "except by the grace of God, there goest I"! How I love my family and all I know...and even people I don't know but have been blessed by their lives via blogging!
We are currently in Michigan, at my Grandmother's. My Aunt, 54, was given a diagnosis of Extended lung cancer. This is just what the doctor's say, God knows better! I fully believe in the power of prayer and what God has put on this earth for our medicine!! Joni is fighting this full force and is a beautiful, strong, spectacular person! She also has a strong, beautiful family that is fighting along with her!
February 4th Zech will have his first surgery. A repair of his anal atresia. The prognosis is: FULLY functional! Yeah!! It will take 3-6 months after, knowing Zech, I think it will be closer the the 3 month mark! He's such a little trooper. Zech is talking a lot more and a lot clearer. He is starting to read. I will stop by his school this week to get some basic reading books that they start them on. He hasn't been to school since the end of November, but has learned quite a bit.
Macey and Megan are staying very busy with work, school, and planning Macey's wedding. All is on track!
God Bless!!

We're Home!!

Okay, we got back home Saturday night. I guess I would have to say we had a very successful trip. Zech should be fully operational after the operation. We seen urology while we were there in hopes that both surgeries could be done together. After all the testing, we have found out that Zech is not emptying his bladder all the way. I guess his bladder neck is narrow and it has too much pressure. They want to put him on medicine that will relax the bladder neck, however, as with any medicine there are side effects that would affect his bowels, Soooo.....I am taking him back to Vanderbilt and staying with that doctor so they can keep an eye on his kidney function (which is showing some damage already) and hope that when this doctor does his urinary surgery, he can also correct the bladder neck. Zech's colon doctor said the Nashville doctor was one of the best urologist's in the world!! I too felt the confidence with him just like I felt the confidence with Zech's colon doctor.
Zech picked up a stomach virus while we were there so we've just been laying around since we've been home. He's doing much better today, but I thought we would still rest.
I feel bad for Meggie, she's had a lot on her plate at the stores since I've been gone. She was also sick, but doing better now.
Macey is done with school until sometime in January. The girls had a Christmas tree up and lights on the front porch when we got home.....merry Christmas to me!!
This is going to be a great Christmas!! Not lots of presents, just lots of love and family time!!! So excited!
One more thing, the Ronald McDonald House, wow!! What an awesome place! I hope no one ever has to experience their child in the hospital for a long time where they need to stay at one, but what a blessing to so many families!! Please remember them when thinking about donating to something. Even if its buying extra soap or paper towels, they need it!!
Thanks for all your prayers!!!

We are on our Way!!

Well, I tried to update the blog the other day, typed a whole bunch, then it wouldn't post and I lost it all! Lets try again. Zech and I are at the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati, OH while he is seeing some doc's at the Children's Hospital. Lots of tests, probing and proding, cries and laughs. We have been here a week, and at least another week to go. All that said, we did get wonderful news Friday. With one more surgery on his intestines, Zech should be functioning properly ALL BY HIMSELF!! So excited!! We went and bought some "BIG" Boy undies the other day...SpongeBob of course! If they can get us on the schedule we will have the surgery while we are here, if not, it will be the first of February. During that time, he will also have a hernia repair.

This next week will entail x-rays every day, going to the endocrinologist, ultrasounds, and going to the urologist. Zech also has to have a surgery on his urinary system, and I'm hoping to be able to do that along with the intestinal surgery. If not, that will be a couple more trips up here.

I know it probably sounds like a lot in black and white, but Zech is really doing well!!

Tom was able to stay with us this weekend. Zech was SOoooo excited!! (I think Tom was too!)

I don't believe I've ever stayed away from home this long, I miss my girls!! They're both so independent, they probably don't even realize I'm gone (though they miss Zech!)

Well, going to wind down for the night....take care!

How are things going?!

Well, everything has been extemely hectic lately. Everything is well now, though in the last three weeks we've been to the ER twice, plus doctor appointments, plus life! Zech is well though. He seems so healthy to have all these issues (all to do with his digestive system and urinary system). Zech is starting to say complete sentences. A lot is not "clear" to most, but mommy understands! We're still learning sign language, I really think that helps.
Halloween was fun. Zech was a LEGO part of the time, then he was a cowboy. Once he realized that running to people's door, hollering "Trick or Treat", and smiling got him food, he was ALL about it!
Macey is still going to school, working, and planning her wedding. Things are going well there....she's such a determined person!
Megan is working ALL the time! She's got quite a few parties and concerts after hours, so she's working quite a bit. She has fun though! She's hangs in there quite well and never complains!
Tom, well he's working too and then plays music when he's home. He's also doing great!
So, most the time it's just me and Zech......we have a lot of fun together! Wow, what would I do without him?! Such a blessing!!
Until next time......

Final Product

Their finished pumpkin

Zech and Phoebe...Megan and Macey

Some pictures

Zech and Phoebe carving their very first Pumpkin together.

Zech and Phoebe (his foster sister from Hong Kong)