Surgery & Lookin' Back

Just wanted to let everyone know we are having surgery on February 15. Riley will be converting from the very aggravating mitrofanoff (used for cathing) to a urostomy (bag). I'm thankful to report that I have peace about the decision and am now just ready to move on with it and see what God has in store for him.

Riley has always amazed me how he never allows any of his "attachments" to slow him down. From the time he was born he has always had a lot of spirit and zeal for life. I feel we should all strive to be this way. Oh now sometimes he gets a little too lively, but he's a great little man that's come a very long way. I thought I'd take ya on a stroll down memory lane with Riley's "attachments".

From the beginning we all got used to a lot of wires. This was a light day in the NICU - he only had an IV and his feeding tube hooked up - still he was happy!

Another day in the NICU - we've got an IV, heart monitor leads, and the edge of his colostomy.

"If I could just get this piece of tape right here..."

A feeding tube dragging behind him wouldn't keep him from exploring the laundry basket with Regan!

"Can a boy have some alone time with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?"

Ahh dialysis...he was always the sweetheart of the place - as long as he was asleep!

When he was awake he kept his women hoppin'!

We figured out ways to get in the bathtub for a little swim. Press 'n Seal wrap and bandage netting worked quite well!

Again Press 'n Seal wrap allowed for a very shallow dip in the pool!


We often had a love/hate relationship with the catheter. (That's what required the Press 'n Seal wrap.) However, it was our lifeline for 3 long years!

And how could we forget our last bladder surgery last summer which required 2 aggravating catheters - you can see them running down each leg. Didn't keep him from cuttin' a rug!

Well that's our boy! Looking through old pictures to do this post has made me think I need to do some more posts with trips down memory lane - stay tuned!

What's Happening

There are many times that I sit here at my computer reading other blogs. Some are friends that I know in real life and some are just "friends" in the blog world, but I often read them and I'm moved. Moved to tears, moved with anger, moved with sympathy...but am I sharing what God is doing in my life? Maybe I'm not sharing because I'm not taking notice. Not noticing that the two children I prayed for and tried to conceive for five years are brilliant and amazing and right here before my eyes. Not noticing that while our youngest wasn't planned and by earthly standards may have been oddly timed yet he is perfectly healthy (and I more than most should recognize the miracle of that). Not noticing that while my husband has been unemployed since October we've been able to buy groceries, gas and other necessities and to pay our bills earlier each month than when he was working. Not noticing all the many blessings in my life every.single.day.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in all that goes on in day to day life and overlook the little things. It 's so easy to get busy doing my "to-do" list and not consider what He wants me to do. I want to know Him in a way that I've never known Him before. I pray He gives me the strength to "press toward the mark" and run this race of life. I've sat on the sidelines far too long and allowed satan to steal my joy, convince me I'm worthless, and tell me I'll never be good enough. I pray that I realize the good and the worth in me is in Christ and He is the giver of True Joy.

I'm not sure what's happening here or where my heart and head are some days, but I know that I know that I am loved by the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Great I AM! And I need Him so much right now. He's working greatly in my life and I just want to get out of His way.

Here We Go

Alright I promise I have not totally forgotten about this blog. It's just that alot has gone on in our lives in the last several months. One of my New Year's resolutions is to do a better job of blogging the events and blessing in our lives, however I feel the need to catch you up first. Hold on tight Here We Go...

The first day of school

I didn't even cry. I was just proud we made it!

You'll notice Riley's first day of school was a month after Regan's. (He had to get his suprapubic catheter removed from the surgery back in June.)

When did they get big enough to go to school?

Riley and Regan's Birthday party

We had it at the YMCA park - very good idea!

Aww, Halloween with a cowboy and a princess

A very special anniversary with a very special person!

We had to go see Mrs. Joli, Riley's kidney donor and a dear person to our whole family!
(And I'm not just saying that b/c she'll read this either.)

Tate's first birthday - it was actually on Thanksgiving day.

Poor kid, we didn't even have a real party(according to Riley and Regan).

Sorry kid we promise to do better next year!

The cousins Christmas Party - I think they are outgrowing the crafts.

Blackshear's fabulous Christmas parade

Tate hated the waiting, but once it got started he was totally content.
(Daddy looks a little less than excited though.)

The children's Christmas Play at church

Regan was an angel....

Riley was a donkey - no comments please.

Christmas morning

Tate loved his toys - they have helped him stand more, just not in this picture!

Riley and Regan's favorite - their new trampoline.

(Mommy and Daddy lovingly refer to it as the outdoor cage. It's not on in this picture, but the cage part was added before Christmas afternoon!)

We had Christmas breakfast with Granny at the Huddle House and sloppy joe's for lunch. I'm telling you we really know how to put out a spread!

This defintely hasn't been our best year - dealing with kidney rejection, hernia surgery, bladder surgery, the awful process of cathing (that will be reversed soon), back surgery, dealing with a baby we still can't figure out, Coot lost his job, I started working....it hasn't been our worst either.

But Our God is still worthy of praise. I praise Him for a husband that took over taking care of Riley (and Regan) when I was taking care of Tate - traveling to and from Atlanta every week, for friends and family that had a fundraiser that allowed us to pay for a van we desperately needed, for financial gifts from people we didn't know that keeps our heads above water, cards sent by friends at just the right time, a Bible study group that prays for us, and all the countless blessing that we miss every day....Our God is WORTHY of all our praise. I am thankful that He has brought us through this year. Though none of it would have been my choosing, God has truly taught us alot this year.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28