In the Midst Of An Ongoing Miracle

Hazel sitting up nice and tall.
This picture was taken 8 days post op.  

Some of you readers have known of Hazel's story since before she was born.  For those of you that are new you can read it here if so inclined.  Hazel's Story    The post from 2009 has some cute photos of her when she was very little.

Nine days ago she had the first of her surgeries to improve her posture due to severe curvature of the spine caused by Spina Bifada.  The surgery is called a VEPTR surgery (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib).  This device is used over time to separate and lift her ribs and straighten her up.  It is in some ways comparable to Orthodontics.  In six months she will have another surgery to crank her ribs open a little more.  This will be repeated as necessary every six months until the desired effect is achieved and she no longer has undue pressure on her right lung.  From the days I worked in surgery I know that titanium is the only metal that does not cause scar tissue to form at the connection between the metal and the bone.  Thus it has the least likely chance of rejection.  It is a rare surgery but the hospital has a surgeon who specializes in the procedure.  That in itself is a miracle.  It helps to live within a few minutes now of the one of the best Children's Hospitals in the nation.

This is an x-ray of another patient who has had this procedure done.

This was a very serious and invasive surgery for a little girl weighing 32 pounds as of today. She's just barely seven years old.  Jen said they haven't actually measured her yet but we know she's a couple of inches taller already.  She was around 33 inches tall before the surgery last week. Maybe she'll hit three feet!

When her sisters and Grampa got to visit on day three,  

she was one happy little girl. 

Grampa snapped this picture.

Of course her Mom or Dad was with her all the time both day and night. Grampa was going to take a night shift on Friday but she got to come home that afternoon.   So he was spared from "sleeping" on those unlovely hospital chairs that supposedly convert into a "bed".  Oh, Jim just corrected that for me.  They actually had a better bed than the last time I was there.  Still it is nearly impossible to sleep with all the commotion.

This is day 4 and Hazel is beginning to look like herself again.  They let the kids order their own meals.  She got to call the kitchen and tell them what she wanted for breakfast.  Her choice was bacon and...not eggs or oatmeal, but mac and cheese!  She thought that was pretty fantastic.  Grampa was there that morning and said,  "Hazel don't you want something that is more like a breakfast food?" 

"OK Grampa I'll order an apple then too!"  I've never seen Hazel eat any fruit but I'm pretty sure I do know who did eat it.  Grrrraaammppa?

Julia and Hazie

Hazie was quite perplexed by waking up with a newly reconstructed body.  The first few days she did not want to move and getting her to want to get in the wheelchair wasn't easy.  We all felt like the changes were much more drastic than expected.  No one felt prepared and so days of adjusting and learning began on day two.  Learning how to hold her and even pick her up were needed.  Grampa said she felt heavier and with a different center of gravity and balance.  Coupling that with medications, etc. one might only imagine how she felt.

I was so happy that Grampa was there to help them with all the extra work and cooking and transporting of the other girls and doing the laundry.  I stayed here and fulfilled our duties and responsibilities and helped with a wedding that I had happily committed to long ago.  Dividing and conquering sometimes is needed to get it all done.  I'm glad he is such a great helper to them.  As for me if I had been there, I'd be the hugger and chatter with the girls.  The white tornado leaves very little room in his wake for an assistant.  He can run circles around most people.  He runs a pretty tight ship but he does allow Chloe to help him cook!  Now that is another sweet story for another day.

So yesterday Hazie had her first outing with Mom and things started to begin to look a little more like normal for them.  Her poor Mommy had a five day migraine almost immediately following the surgery.  There had to be so much stress and concern over this whole thing for her as one might imagine.  Thank heavens everything is going better now.  Slowly but surely the new things will become the new normal. 

Here at the park Hazel wanted to swing but it was too soon.  So her little doll, Ruby, is going for a ride.  Hazel is learning for the first time that she can use both her arms together more without tipping over or having to use her right arm for support while sitting up.  Miracle!

I like this quote but it doesn't fit Hazel exactly.  She is the farthest things from an ordinary individual I've ever known.  She is angelic, happy, determined and adaptable and full of love.  She loves her life and everyone she meets.  She does find strength to persevere and endure and progress in spite of overwhelming obstacles and she is a teacher to us all.  She is adored by all of us in our family. Having her as our beautiful granddaughter does, indeed, place us squarely in the midst of an ongoing miracle.  Thanksgiving is everyday for us!  

A Simple Woman's Daybook~November 8, 2014

Our lives pass swiftly by! I want to do something to remember

the everyday moments and my thoughts about them.  

That is what this Daybook is all about.

Focusing on the little things that become my life.

One entry at a time.

Just for today~Saturday, November 8, 2014

Outside my window...It's 5:15 am so pretty dark and chilly outside right now.  Lately I have been having trouble sleeping on some nights so rather than just lie there I get up and do things.  I think it has a lot to do with the time changes.  I wish we didn't do that.  It like having jet lag without going anywhere!

Restless sleep or lack thereof makes for a long day that usually then requires a nap, or riposo as they call it in Italy.  Most of the world naps so I figure...why fight it?  It pretty much all evens out in the end.  One thing I have learned is that what you don't get done today will be waiting for you again tomorrow.  That is life unless you have a maid, a chef and a personal assistant to help you out. So what I am trying to learn to do is to just go with the flow.  It is what it is!  

I am thankful for....this time of year and the cooling off from the summer, the beautiful fall colors that are so enchanting and that never get old and the month of November where gratitude is even more on my mind that usual. 
  

I see Christmas just around the corner.  The decorating, the festivities, busyness and the joy.  Not a moment to be bored that is for sure.  Jim and I will be taking off for a few days in December and I am looking forward to that and thankful for it.

From the learning room...I have known for a long time that a grateful person is a happy person.  Everyone has their trials and tribulations and challenges but a focus on what we do have as opposed to what we lack is a healthy way to live.  It is win/win for everyone around us as well.  No one wants to be around someone who can never see the good in things.  The other things about a grateful heart and happiness is it can be attributed to knowing and praising God from whence our blessings flow. 

To just be grateful in general, is not the same as being grateful to our Creator and our God.  The latter leads to a greater sense of purpose and peace and a desire to uplift and help others.  The minute we begin to think that our blessings come from ourselves or that we're just lucky, or deserve what we have because we are somehow more important than someone else...we are in trouble. There is a difference between making good choices for better outcomes in our lives and taking the glory upon ourselves.   Everything, every breath we take is a gift from our Father who loves us.  May we never lose sight of that.  As we recognize and acknowledge that we will have true happiness in our lives.

I am reading...This wonderful book entitled The Godfrey Genealogy sent to me by my second cousin, James Godfrey, as a copy from his personal genealogy collection.  He received the book from someone else working on the Godfrey lines and he was generous to share it with me at no cost.  I treasure this story and the information about our common ancestors and that through my family history work I have met Jim on ancestry.com.  That in itself is a miracle.  I use to go to his Grandparents' house when I was a little girl visiting in North Dakota. His grandfather and my grandmother are siblings.  But without our common interest in preserving memories of our family and the Internet we never would have met.

From the kitchen...Well in reality not much is happening but I did watch a bunch of episodes of The Pioneer Woman on Netflix the other night and I totally got motivated.  So we'll see.  She makes it all look like such a delightful adventure...I need an attitude adjustment!  She made it such and act of service and love to others rather than mundane shopping and chopping.   I need to get back to that kind of thinking...Working on it.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...just how grounding the foundation of faith is in our life.  How much I love sharing it with people I love and watching the way faith works in their lives and ours is totally uplifting.  It keeps us going no matter what.  I love the fact that faith in Christ's love is stabilizing.  That it never changes, bringing such peace. That is so important in a world that changes daily and with traditions and standards being is tossed to and fro by every wind and whim of this group and that group. 

It is not that we shouldn't question and progress but certain things being maintained creates security in living that we all need.  I find the endless debates about every little thing so tiring.  People want to create a God to suit them, instead of acknowledging Him as our creator!  So weird.  And paradoxical.  As for us, we are staying squarely on this path.  We like His plan and that is our choice.

Someone I am praying for this week... our Hazel who is having a major back surgery on Monday morning, Susan who is recovering from hip surgery after a nasty fall, Stephen almost mended from his surgery and also for Ben Terribilini who is 11 and struggling with leukemia. He has been running high fevers this past week.  Several times getting up to 108.7 in the night when he had to be packed in ice.  No child should have to endure that and no parent should have to helplessly stand by watching it.  I didn't even know a person could survive a fever that high.

I am missing...everybody who isn't here tonight.

I am hearing...Max Raabe, love that funny man and his music.

One of my pleasures...Honey crisp apples.  They are in a class by themselves.

Pet Peeves...well this is gross but...men who spit.  I saw a guy do it right out in front of the grocery store the other day and think nothing of it.   It was beyond disgusting.  It made me shutter.  Ick! Who would ever think that is OK?  It's just plain wrong.

Past Remembrance...Being in Rhode Island a few years ago for the Fall Colors.  Oh my heavens...it was glorious.  And going to Maine and New Hampshire and Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts too.  Then visiting a little place called Sugar Bush Farm where they make their own maple syrup and cheese. It was just so country and wholesome and fun. That was one of those trips that should not be redone.  It was so good the first time.  That memory cannot be improved upon so it is wrapped in glittery paper and stored deep within.

I am quoting...Pinterest...

If I could change one thing it would be...that little Hazel would be miraculously relieved of her problems and could run and play and jump like the other kids.  Thankfully one day that will be a promise  realized in the next life.  I am so thankful she is blessed with a patient and happy spirit and she loves her life just as it is.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...Maleficent. Jim and I just watched it the other night and it has a great message.  I usually don't like those fantasy movies much but this one I did.

I am curious about...the rumblings about the next Presidential Elections.  Is it even possible that he might run again?  Something to hope for anyway.

Plans for the rest of the week...I have work and lots of cleaning at home. Getting ready for the holidays.  Possible lunches or two out with dear friends and hopefully making some real progress on my current genealogy challenges. Working on a wedding reception set up on Friday.  Oh it is just one big eventful week in the offing.  And writing, I want to get a lot of writing done.  We'll see how much determination I have to get it all done during Grampa Camp.

One of my favorite things...chilling.  It is my natural way but having been married to a non-chiller for so many years I realize that I complete adopted his way of living. Running constantly.  Now I want to step back from that sometimes and just be.  It is such a struggle to find a way to create new habits.  But for me personally it is more healthy to have a better balance.  Work hard, play hard, rest as needed. Sounds simple but not really after 4 plus decades of the frantic pace.

One thing that made me so happy this past week...Being able to buy Hazel a few little warm cuddly things for her recovery.  I  got her a little cushy puppy to snuggle up with and a toasty warm nightgown with leggings.  Grampa gave them to her already and she face timed me on the phone and I could tell she liked them.  I asked her if she was all ready for her surgery and she said, No Gramma it is not today as though I had gotten the date wrong.   I love that child with all my heart.  She is the very definition of precious.

The most surprising thing this past week...Receiving a that wonderful gift from my cousin as I previously mentioned.  Then realizing gain how much I really love my cousins.  They can be so totally wonderful and usually are. 
  
A photo I am sharing this week...

This is a most magnificent hydrangea  growing on the Oakland Temple Grounds.  Jim and I noticed it the other night when we were there so I took this photo in the pitch dark with a flash.   It is the size of a dinner plate and right at eye level on this gigantic hydrangea plant near the gate to the inner courtyard.  I have never seen one so big and perfect before.  It is in the process of blooming as you can see so I plan to keep an eye on it this week and watch it open up.  I'll try to capture it on the camera as well.   I love hydrangeas, my favorites are the lavenders and purples.          

This is Hazel on her 7th birthday in September.  Tomorrow morning at 6:30 am she is having the first of her big surgeries to straighten her back and give her more lung capacity.  It will be a tough one.  Any prayers on her behalf would be most appreciated.  Thank you friends! 

 Love from her Gramma and Grampa

UNTIL THE NEXT DAYBOOK,

BE HAPPY AND CARRY ON!

Hazel is Growing Up!

Hazel

It seems like long time since I have written about our Hazie Jo. She turned 7 on September 24.  The week before she had an eye surgery.  Both her eyes are still very red but Jen says she is improving. She is going to have a very big and seriously major surgery on November 10.  The surgeons are going to attempt to straighten her back up enough to minimize her lung pressure from the scoliosis.  They will do it by putting in some lever type things between her ribs and then slowly over a long time widening the space between them so she won't tilt so much to the right.  She is such a willing and compliant child.  She doesn't like the idea but she doesn't fight it either.  She reminds me so much of my Mom when she was in her last years.  An Easy Patient.  Please pray for her to have a good outcome in November and that she will stay nice and healthy this fall so they can proceed with the surgery.

Those Who Inspire Me

This is a flashback to September 2011

Hazie waiting for the bus on her first day
of school this year! This was her first bus ride!

I just love this series of pictures. I don't know why exactly but they represent something special to me. They brought tears to my eyes as I looked at her sweet little face, so eager, so trusting, so ready to go! I have had to ponder this experience for days to better understand why it touched me so deeply.

Getting on the Big Yellow School Bus!
This little one that has never met a stranger!
She is trying to engage this man who seems
to be unaware he is in the presence of an angel!

And off she goes to school....
To life as a big girl.

Her first independent trip away from home, away from her family and into the unknown with a smile on her face. That is courage. That is inspiring. When I saw the back of that bus...I had to think of our own daughter, Hazie's Mom. Watching her little, almost four-year-old, take off with perfect strangers on her own for the first time.

There was her little precious girl, that she has nurtured and cared for in the extreme, with all of her spina bifada issues, knowing her and helping her like no one else but a mom could. The very act of letting Hazie get on that bus and go off on her own...that had to take courage, it had to be hard. That kind of maternal courage inspires me.

I remember when Jennifer went off to school, how I wept. That little person who shared my body before birth and my soul all of her life, wasn't a baby anymore. And I prayed for her protection in a big, very uncertain world. I wanted to hold on to her and her innocence and never let the world rip it from her as it was ripping her from me right then.

I felt the same way when I saw the back of this big yellow bus. In our lives, we have those defining moments when we learn something that changes us. I am constantly amazed by the depth of love I have for our grandkids and kids and what I learn from them. I see things in them all the time that humble me and make me want to be a better person. Their refining moments refine me. The power of that love of mother to child is divine.

Their experiences bond me to them in ways I never realized they could or would. When they stretch and grow I do too and when they hurt I feel pain along with them, when they feel joy, my heart is bursting too. These feelings can be felt in other relationships, but never quite as keenly as in mother to child. Not even child-to-mother love knows of this power. Of course perhaps, a father's love for his children produces this experience too, but I can only speak of a mother's love through the heart that I know best. The courage that I see in our children and grandchildren makes me feel ashamed of my own fears sometimes. They are amazingly faithful and courageous. That inspires me to face my fears head on.

Spencer James

This very week our grandson, Spencer, has gone off for the first time as well. He is 12 so that probably seems rather strange to a lot of you. But Spencer has a disability that cannot be seen. He is deathly allergic to peanuts and soy. What this means for his parents is they must prepared all his food with caution. They never buy anything that the label isn't checked first because companies change ingredients all the time. Most of his food is made from scratch. (He will undoubtedly be healthier than most through out his life time because of it, right?) He can never eat any purchased treats like chips, cookies, candy or a gelato, or a hamburger. To a child with a peanut allergy eating can bring about unthinkable consequences. You cannot be lax, vigilance is essential 24/7.

Spencer carries an Epipen wherever he goes, he doesn't eat food prepared for parties or church dinners or in any but a couple of thoroughly screened restaurants where he is allowed pasta with butter only. He never travels on a train or plane without precautionary methods needing to be taken.

It is tougher because it is invisible and it enters into every new relationship he ever makes, as explanations and exceptions have to be made. There are emotional issues to be dealt with. I think most people never can imagine this type of thing unless they are faced with its challenges. Food is an issue and central to just about every social thing we seem to do. Imagine always being on your guard.

But this week he went on an outdoor, educational, camping trip with his new friends, at his new school, in another state. He went with every one of his meals packed and ready for him to confidently enjoy, prepared by his diligent mother. That took courage, that took faith. That is inspiring to me. I know that Laura and Robert wrestled with this and had very similar thoughts to what Jen must have when that bus drove away with her baby.

Again I do not know that I could have handled these thing well as a parent. I learn courage through their courageous acts. And I am pretty sure I would not have handled this well as a 12-year-old. There is so much security within the walls of a loving, protective home. When the grandkids are brave, I can be more brave in the things I face or may face in my life. I learn from them all the time.

These are just two examples of those who inspire me to be courageous. There is also James, always working hard and usually in pain as he does it. He just plows through in spite of the consequences physically sometimes. The sacrifices are almost always for someone else. There is also my brother, Steven, bravely enduring his cancer treatments that have been so difficult with his Steve Martin-like looks and sense of humor and a desire to lift the rest of us. That is courage that inspires me.

I have a mental list of those who inspire me to be better. You are probably on that list yourself. Who we eventually become has a lot to do with where we are looking. I am looking to God, and wonderful courageous and inspiring people that help me along my way, every day.

Do you ever think about who inspires you through their courageous living?

The Moms Getting It Done In Our Family

Bonnie, Jennifer

Gloria, Melissa, Laura

Gloria and Jim
Generation #1 

Chris and His Mom

Generation 2

Our Girls!
Laura and Jen

The Grandkids

Spencer, Connor, Piper, Julia, Ross,

Zachary, Aynslee, Hazel, Chloe, Owen

Jennifer- Mom to:  Piper Julia Chloe Hazel

 Melissa- Mom to:  Connor Aynslee, Zach, and Owen

Laura-Mom to: Spencer and Ross

We love these dedicated moms

 so much for all they do! 

Happy Mother's Day to all!

********

Happy Birthday to Chloe (9)

And Spencer (15) this weekend also!

So much to celebrate!

And we got a new grand puppy today.  

Chloe has a new little Dog named Lucy!

She is smiling!

A Simple Woman's Daybook~January 11, 2014

Our lives pass swiftly by! I want to do something to remember

the everyday moments and my thoughts about them.  

That is what this Daybook is all about.

Focusing on the little things that become my life.

One entry at a time.

Just for today~Saturday, January 11, 2014

 

Outside my window...It is 4:40 pm and the sun setting.  I am not in love with these very short days but they are on the upswing now, so that is good!  It has been overcast and still all day.  It was supposed to rain but didn't.  The weather forecast was for 30% chance of rain starting at 900 am.  That was a good motivator for us to get up in the dark and prepare for a day of working on organizing "my" own storage place.  Now that Jim is nearly done with the major construction on the shop he has storage all over the place.  So I have a little shed all to myself for my accessories and holiday things.  It is my little room with a past.  A room full of shelves and memories.  Jim still has some of his things in there but soon...it'll be for girls only!  I am pretty jazzed about it as we have a cottage and storage has always been in short supply.

I am thankful for....this little storage house of mine.  I could probably lay my hands on just about anything in there within a few minutes.  All Christmas is arranged by the room it lands in most years.  So next year..get the bin that goes in each room.  Take down the regular accessories and put up the Christmas stuff.  That could theoretically be done pretty fast.  Well, we'll see next year.  The take down should be even faster since all the regular stuff will be in the box for that room in the storage house and I can just switch them out.  The best part is I can bring them in and out one at a time if I want so we shouldn't have the big invasion of many boxes and that feeling that we are moving without going anywhere.  This is pure luxury to me because for 33 years it was all stored in the attic.  And not one of those pretty attics you see in the movies!  I love my hubby for making it all possible and so much better.  

From the learning room....there is always work to do, always ways you can improve your life and the way you do things.  There is always a better more efficient way and I love that.  When that happens you have more free time.  Free time to pursue your talents and interests.  That is something I truly cherish every day since I stopped working for someone else.  Once I had my own business it was a great freedom and being retired is even better.  

I think I work just as hard if not harder now but on my own terms.  I value that so much.  When you think about it the last time any of us had that was pre-kindergarten.  Since then we have all been on someone else's agenda most of the time.  Right?  

Well when you want to know what one of the greatest joys of the autumn of your life is, this is it.  But you have to guard it well because for most other people, when they hear that you are retired they think that equates to nothing to do and free as a bird and ready and willing to do everything they have in mind for you.  

I learned a valuable lesson in the oral surgery practice where I worked!  "Run your own schedule or it will run you."  That doesn't mean be selfish and stingy with your service.  What is means is serving as much or more than you ever have but with thoughtfulness for that balance that you want in your days so you have time for yourself and your husband.  

I am reading...I am about to download "The Book Thief" onto my Kindle but haven't just yet.  Been very busy with lots of other things for the past month or so.  Reading lots of genealogy things and preparing for a conference I'm going to in February.

From the kitchen...I wish I knew since it is nearly dinner time.   I don't know why I do this when I know it comes every blankety blank night.  Like my daughter Jennifer said.  "I cannot believe someone has not come up with something to eliminate about two meals a day.  Every time I turn around I am thinking about food, buying food, cooking food or cleaning up after food!"  I couldn't agree more.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...Just how the older I get the more I see The Lord's hand in everything around me.  The gospel is becoming sweeter and sweeter to me all the time.  The Savior is such a refuge and strength as we traverse through this life.  Seeking and listening to the spirit is the key for me.  I am finally getting better at it.  A big part of that is allowing myself time to pursue it.

I am hearing...She's Out Of My Life by Michael Jackson.  This may be the only Michael Jackson song I have on my play lists.  I do like it.

One of my guilty pleasures...Downton Abbey! Oh my heck, I am so glad it is back on.  Last week we went to our friend, Barbara's house for a Downton party.  She prepared a very yummy dinner and and even made an English trifle for dessert.  Then we sat around in her cozy family room and drank it in!  Season 4 is off to a great start. 

Pet Peeves...being out of stamps when I have one letter to mail.  I think I'll remember to get some every time I go to the grocery store or bank and then come home without them.  Time to order online and quit trusting my memory for something I rarely use anymore.

I am quoting...Pinterest

If I could change one thing it would be...that Craig and Shonda Hayes' baby boy, Amos, did not die at 3 days old this week.  Beautiful little boy whose heart just stopped beating.  Very sad for them and the two "big" little sisters.  Reminds me so much of our friends, the Chapmans who also lost an infant son last spring and he had two "big" little sisters.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...Downton, one track mind over here.

I am curious about...why I had even the slightest fantasy that 2014 was going to calm down and be less hectic than 2013.  Joke.  I am already behind and it's January 11th! 

Plans for the rest of the week...Church tomorrow for one hour only.  Then working on Family History all day.  Woohoo! I haven't really gotten past tomorrow.  Not sure but it will be busy as our son is coming for overnight for a meeting in the Bay Area so we'll have to plan something fun for that night.  Hair appointment and hopeful a manicure one day are in the plans. Working Tuesday.  Just the usuals really.

One of my favorite things...finishing a project like we did today!  So nice to have everything back in order.  Now on to the good deeper cleaning in the next week.

 
One thing that made me so happy this past week...Definitely deciding to go to the largest genealogy conference in the US.  Rootstech and being able to combine it with a trip to help decorate Jen and Lowell's house.  Lucky for me...both are in SLC and both the same week.  And both our girls are coming for an RandR and we are going to have a girl party very soon!

The most surprising thing this past week...I had three pain free days!  It was fabulous.  It is amazing when your legs work the way they are supposed to and don't hurt.  I got so much done.

A photo I am sharing this week...This is Hazie going for a little spin on the snow.  This picture brings me such joy. Seeing how she is moving without help and the sense of freedom is tangible on her face is beyond description.

For those of you that do not not know, Hazel, our youngest grandchild, was born with a severe case of Spina Bifada.   She does not have use of her legs but as you can see for the most part that doesn't stop her.  She started kindergarten this year and this child is an inspiration to all who know her.   She is the happiest, sweetest, smartest little angel and we love her so much.  Just sharing the joy...!

UNTIL THE NEXT DAYBOOK,

 Be Happy, Keep Your Balance and Enjoy Your Life!
Only One Rather Short One Per Person Allowed.

❤♡♥♡❤♡♥♡❤♡♥s, Bon

She'll Always Be My Baby Girl...But

To the world she is growing up!

My first thought after the Tooth Elf was...

Where are those great big ole permanent teeth going to go?

She is such a tiny girl...The Lord will provide a way!

It is probably called Orthodontics!

You might enjoy this post Jennifer did in 2008.  In fact I bet you will! In celebration of our last "first tooth loss" here it is:

http://bonsblogbydesign.blogspot.com/2008/11/tooth-elf.html

Hazie's Family History

http://youtu.be/fjUTkknHrrs

One cute kiddo if I do say so myself!  Look what our friend
sent us!  Very cool!  Thanks! ;->

Santa and Hazie Chat

This just simply made my day!  Five years old and I think this is the first winter she has been well enough to get out in a crowd during the winter season!  It is definitely her first photo with old St. Nick.  This is 100% beauty wrapped up in a tiny package.  She sent me a text yesterday.  She cannot read yet but she can type.  She knows where all the letters are on the keyboard.  She is a blessing that brings continual joy.  She's an extraordinarily merry gift!

Warning, Warning, Warning...

Eight more weeks until Thanksgiving and then... 

you know what will be here.  Christmas!

Hazie will be pretty happy at that thought. 

{{Psssst, she will be 5 on September 24th!}} 

I bought some Christmas presents this week

 for some special friends.  

Yay!  You?

Look What Happened to Hazie...

We are sure glad she got a cookie after all of this!

On Sunday night while her Daddy was getting her ready for bed he discovered something was wrong with her leg. Because Hazie cannot feel anything past her paralysis point someplace between her ribs and tummy...she did not notice anything. But Dad did. Her little left leg was all red and hot to the touch and bruised. Also dad stretched her legs out and noticed one leg looked longer. He could also hear a clicking sound when he moved her leg in the quiet room. He then asked, "Hazel, what happened to your leg? To which she curiously replied..."I don't know, what happened to it?" If there is any bright spot here this is it. No pain.

Jen immediately took her to the ER and this is what they saw. A broken femur and a mystery attached to it as to how this might have happened.

So they admitted her and they spent two night in the hospital. The day after the break they decided against pinning and that was probably because her little bones are so small. So she was sedated, the bone set and this horrendous cast put on instead. Now the bone looks like this...



The only problem now is waiting for the bone to knit. Have you ever prayed about knitting before? Me neither, but I sure am now. For a child with spina bifada everything is complicated. We must now pray for no respiratory problems due to inactivity and not being able to sit completely up, no infections, no skin problems due to the abrasion of the hard cast on very delicate skin, and no circulation issues to worsen. Also prayers that a little four year old can remain in this awkward position of neither sitting nor lying down, for six weeks and not feel tremendous boredom and worse, frustration. And equally needing prayers are her mom and dad who need to keep turning her all day and all night to prevent a lot of the above possibilities from being a big issue.

Where would we be in this crazy life without the refuge of prayer. I find such peace in knowing that you will be OK Hazie and this is why...

And not just me and Grampa but lots of other people that love you and wish you well. Especially all of your big family and good friends. The world is full of people that care and for that we are grateful. It is also full of wonderful medical helpers and you seem to get your share of their caring skills. Thanks to all of them too. And mostly to your little family, Mom and Dad, Piper, Julia, Chloe, and even Molly, your puppy, who is there to brigthen your days. One day at a time we will all see you through this...along with your angels and God who never sleeps. We love you, Hazie. Be of good cheer. Any prayers that you might offer up for her recovery would be appreciated.

Tummy time on the rotation schedule!

Yay for a brand new squishy bean bag and a smile!

It's Snowing!

Greetings from snowy Utah. Actually it just started snowing and so it is not sticking yet. We are heading to the airport and flying to Phoenix and then on to Rhode Island. We will arrive tonight. It is bittersweet, hating to say good bye to the kids here but we are looking forward to our time in the East. Cannot wait to see Laura and the boys. I sure hope you are all well and enjoying the Christmas season, Go over to our Christmas blog at http://averymerrychristmas.blogspot.com if you have a minute.We have had a wonderful time here these past few days.

Love to all of you! Bonnie & Jim

Trick or Tweet!

The Little Blue Bird of Happiness & Excessive JOY!

All Set to Fly in Her Beautiful Little Nest.
You know you are a basket case grandmother when
a Halloween costume created by
your awesome daughter makes you weep.