Friends forever

Make a Smilebox photobook

Thanks for making this April!

Balloons

Dear Caleb,

Thank you for the balloons.

They made my hospital stay happier.

Red and yellow are my favorite colors.

Thanks for remembering that.

You are such a dear friend.

Love, Hunter

Sick

Well, we survived Round 1 of Winter '09-'10. According to the tests they ran on Hunter's sputum (how's that for yummy?) he had influenza. Amazing that a flu bug, that might make you miss a day of work, makes a beeline for Hunter's lungs and lands him in the hospital. Early Wednesday, around 2:30 AM to be precise, we rolled in to the UVRMC ER because Hunter's breathing was very distressed. Amazingly, the place was completely empty and I experienced the fastest admittance process EVER! We were back in a room in a matter of minutes. I spoke with a doctor immediately. We went directly back to Radiology for a chest x-ray. And so on and so forth. We were in a bed on the Peds floor in under an hour. (I know better than to think that that will ever happen again.) It was a tender mercy for a tired mama. The only downside that whole night was my encounter with the doc on call from my pediatrician's office. The jerk had the nerve to make a comment about wanting to be sure there was a good reason for coming in at 3:30 AM to see Hunter. In my head I'm thinking, "Did he just say that? Of course there's a good reason you're here!" The doc was laying on the whole I'm tired-yawn, yawn, yawn-act so thick while we chatted that I wanted to smack the guy. The joys some of you will never get to experience. Anyhow, the next few days were pretty uneventful. Hunter turned the corner really fast this time. They sent us home with some oxygen to use at night because he wasn't oxygenating great in his sleep. He still looks too small for those hospital beds.
I'm so glad he's home!

Miracle

Not too long ago I was feeling discouraged and alone.

The prayer of my heart was for a friend who could understand what it is to be the mother of a special child.

One night after a particularly long day, I went to a late movie all by myself.

When I walked into the theater there were only two other people there: an old acquaintance of mine and her friend.

Both of these women were mothers of special children.

In that moment I felt the Spirit whisper, "You're not alone. Your Heavenly Father is aware of you and He loves you." Heavenly Father couldn't physically be there with me that night, but He arranged for these two women to be there on His behalf.

My heart was unburdened as I sat there with two individuals who understood why I was at a late movie, by myself, on a Tuesday night.

What I didn't know at the time was that Heavenly Father, with His eternal perspective, had anticipated what I needed and was already orchestrating some new special friendships.

A few weeks before the night at the movies, I was introduced to two amazing mothers with sons like Hunter through my blog.

At the time, I had no idea of the strength and love these women would provide me in the coming months.

Isn't it amazing how deeply and lovingly the Lord involves Himself in our lives?

Looking back now, I realize that Heavenly Father blessed me in my hour of need, and beyond.