A Very Special Case.

I am thankful for strength from within. For peace that passes all understanding. For being kicked out of my comfort zone and forced to be a better wife, mom, and woman. I am thankful for forgiveness. For the freedom to live without condemnation. I am thankful, Jesus for this past year and the countless blessings it brought me and this beautiful family. Col. 3:15 - "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts... and be thankful."

Case's surgery went well! He got the g-tube and nissen wrap. It lasted about 2 1/2 hours. He has been doing well. A little out of it. The medication makes him sleep. He will start formula in an hour. He had Pedilyte through the night. They are taking things slow so his tiny belly handles it well. But he is a real trooper! Looks like we may go home Saturday as long as all goes well!:) Tuesday evening was rough. Yes, me "the strongest women in the world" has weak moments.;) It is hard for me to give up. I still like things to go as planned. I had no trouble with bringing Case for surgery and staying till he is recovered even if that meant spending Thanksgiving here because that was the plan. Well, when they brought Case to a double room not a private room I was a little bothered but his roommate was a quiet 3 year old with a nice family. Okay. I could handle that. New plan. No biggie. At about 11 pm plans changed again. That boy went home and they brought a noisy, need

So, as I've said before. God speaks to me in song. I don't usually ask him to but often find a song I haven't heard In months or more in my head. I slept well last night. Not a lot of hours but the sleep I got was peaceful and good. I woke up with bits and pieces of a song in my head. I googled it to get the exact lyrics and this is what I got: Hang In There, Baby Things Are Crazy, But I Know Your Future's Bright Hang In There, Baby There's No Maybe, Everything Turns Out Alright Sure Life Is Up And Down, But Trust Me, It Comes Back Around You're gonna love who you turn out to be That's not the whole song, just the important part.:) We are heading down to surgery soon!! Oh, boy! Resting up for his big day.

We are at the Children's hospital now. Case's g-tube surgery has been changed to tomorrow. I will stay with him through his recovery. We should be here around 4-5 days. This little boy missed the "don't be an impatient on important holiday" memo. Oh, well..I'm sure turkey tastes the same in Pittsburgh! He is super. Super sweet. Super special. Super strong. Our Super Case!!

A home away from home. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald house Thursday night. Case had a total of 3 appointments, blood work, a sonogram of the liver and a cookie swallow test Thursday and Friday. I was thankful for an inexpensive place to stay but the Ronald McDonald is so much more than that. It is a place with other moms and dads that have felt what we felt. Have cried like we cried. Have heard aweful news. Have heard wonderful news. Have seen miracles and ones that have not. Most of all the Ronald McDonald House is a house of many blessings. Almost every night generous groups, families and even Ben Roethlisberger  donate meals. There are toys and gifts for the children, free laundry facilites and always food and drinks for free. But the blessings I have enjoyed the most are the non meterial ones. Friendships have been one of those nonmaterial blessings. Mostly the one I made with Lisa. You can follow her inspiring story of her son who has overcome a life treating birth  defect an

During my 20 week ultrasound (with Case) the tech said we were having a girl.  We went to our first second level ultrasound 4 weeks later in Johnstown. The doctor started seeing several congenatle anomalies. I went into the bathroom and cried. While in there I very clearly heard the word Grace. I assumed that was to be our babies middle name. I looked the word grace up and found it means "blessing, favor". I got an amnio that day and later was told we were expecting a boy. I was puzzled. I really thought God was telling me to name our baby Grace. That wasn't it at all. He was telling me we were experiencing grace (blessing, favor) and still are. Dan wasn't able to come with me and Case to the doctors yesterday. I drove to Ebensburg and met a friend. The three of us then headed the rest of the way to Johnstown. While just Case and I were in the car I head the song, "Your L ove is Extravagant". I was particularly drawn to the line "I find I'm moving

I will keep in perfect peace He who trusts in me. Isaiah 26:3 I've mentioned this verse before but I'm reminded of it daily. Today I'm taking Case to Johnstown to meet a surgeon about the posibility of placing a G-tube. As I said before, the g-tube doesn't bother me. At this point I'm practically ready to put it in myself.;) Case has lost weight in the past couple of weeks and I know that can't be good. My mind tends to wonder and worry,though. I have an app on my phone that has a short "lesson" each day.  It's funny how perfect today's lesson is. To sum it up, it told me not to worry. Jesus knows this big picture and has already taken care of today and always.:)  It's time to trust God completely. G-tube or no G-tube. Vomiting or no vomiting. Whatever this and every day brings it is God who is in controll not me. Sometimes people confuse trusting God with God fixing everything. I believe everything is going to be okay. And by "okay&

I have been chosen to be Case's mother. What a wonderful job I have! Granted, I get tired and sometimes wonder if I'm the right girl for the job. But oh, what a blessing it is to be Case's mother! He is so sweet and peaceful. Lovely in every way. I couldn't ask for four better children. They are perfect for us. Dan and I decided we wanted children but God is the one that decided Meredith , Samantha, Lainey and of course, Case are the children for us. And for that I thank Him. I some times find my self thinking about how much easier it would be if Case were born without a growth restriction, or any other anomalies. I am quickly reminded that I was chosen to be the mother of this special boy and I know that I wouldn't have it any other way. When we first started seeing that there were issues with our baby Dan looked at me and said, "Liz, I've been excited about all our babies but I think I'm even more excited about this one because God is teaching us an

I know those aren't the lyrics. But that's the song that's been in my head lately. Case had a pediatrician appointment  this past Thursday. His weight gain in the past month month was mininal. It's looking like he will need the G-tube. He now weighs 10 pounds 8 ounces. It's a lot of working getting him to eat and drink. It's exhausting. I was rocking him the other night and thinking about the blood work we had done in September (with Genetics). We got the results in the mail Saturday. But before we got the results I was rocking him and thinking (worrying). I said to Dan, "What if the results come back someday and he has a horrible syndrome that says he won't live past 8 years old?" Dan said, "Then I would suggest you stop worrying and love every minute with him". What a good perspective. None of us are promised tomorrow or even the next minute. It's time we embrace the situation we are in (good, bad or indifferent) and go with it. L