Girls' Weekend

This past weekend I got to spend time in Denver, CO with 4 of my most favorite people in the world. Shannon, my wonderful friend since 3rd grade, who lives in Denver. Julie, who used to live in Dallas, now lives in Denver because her husband decided she should live there with him after they got married. Joyce surprised us at the airport...she lives in San Antonio. I love those kind of surprises!! And Marcy, the only one that is in Dallas. I'm so thankful she is there. It was a fabulous weekend! I love you girls!!! Let's do it again soon.

We spent a very nice day at the Woodhouse Spa...massages, pedicures, champagne and good friends. Can't beat that!!

We had dinner one night at a sushi restaurant. Julie and I can eat our weight in sushi. Marcy was a good sport and ate chicken.
This was taken during a walk in downtown Denver. We had beautiful weather!
After a trip to Keystone and a gondola ride to the top of the mountain we drove to Evergreen (where Julie and John were married) and tasted wines at Creekside Winery. Yummy, Yummy! I won't talk about how Marcy fell in the creek...but she did. hee hee

In Need Of A Good Cry?

I dare you not to cry as you watch this...Team Myles . It is so inspirational! By the grace of God, this will by my Gracie one day.

Photos of Grace at CE

These are a few photos taken at the January CE camp at A Child Can Do All Things. Gosh, I am so incredibly proud of my Gracie!

Hippotherapy

Today Grace officially started a new therapy...Hippotherapy at Equest in Wylie. It is about a 40 minute drive for us to get out there but it is so worth it. Last week was our first visit for an evaluation so today was Grace's first day to ride for about 45 minutes. I was so impressed with the time the PT took to get to know Grace and her limitations and the areas that were needed to focus on during the therapy...the different ways she would ride. Grace, of course, cried almost the entire session, but that was to be expected. She always does the the first time we do something new. I can't wait to see how she does next Thursday

Decisions...Decisions

There are only more decisions now to be made about Grace's therapy and equipment.

We are now attending yet another therapy we can't afford but I'm very excited about. Last week we had an evaluation at Equest for Hippotherapy. I was so impressed with the PT and her assessment of Grace. We are now going to be going on Thursdays. I can't wait!!

E Stim vs. Botox....We were scheduled to do another round of Botox this month but after hearing about Electrical Stimulation, and having it recommended by the PT at Equest, we have delayed Botox for the time being. I hope to learn more about E Stim on Thursday. Don't know the cost but I'm sure insurance doesn't cover it. UGHHHHH!!!!

AFOs vs. Piedro Orthodic Shoes. There are two different trains of thought on this. Our PT wants us to use AFOs and the CE conductor thinks that the orthodic shoes would be better for Grace. Insurance doesn't pay but about $200 for the $2,000 AFOs and doesn't pay anything for the $250 Piedros.

Ok, my head is swimming and I'm really tired, so if you have an epiphanies on these subjects, let me know. I will give you more details on everything later...I'm going to bed now. I'll leave you with a cute photo of Mack and Kathryn on the Plasma Car. I think she likes it even more than the kids do.

Just Out On A Jog

My Valentine

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. I'm not adamantly opposed or anything, I just think it's a manufactured holiday that some people feel obligated to celebrate...I'd rather just have a random Valentine's Day to be chosen by the loved one. That way there are no expectations and no obligations.

Well, my valentine surprised me. He asked Kat to come watch the kids and planned a night out for us without me even knowing about it. It wasn't Feb 14 but Feb 13...which made it all the better. We hadn't had a date in a very long time. As we left the house, Kathryn said "Ok, you have to stay gone at least 2 hours". And we thought..."no problem". After a very nice dinner at The Porch we decided to try to make a movie. We had missed all the 7:00ish movies and would have to make a 9:00ish movie. That would get us home close to midnight. So after deciding we didn't want to stay out that late we went home and watched American Idol that I had taped. I think we stayed out 1 hour and 45 minutes...we almost made it. We are SO lame.

Dad Is Going To Be So Proud ;)

We my mother came for a visit last weeks she brought a red pair and a pink pair of sequined shoes for Sophie and Grace. Mack loves these shoes!! Last night after his bath he put them on and was running around the house. Every time I tried to get a picture he would run away...I had to sneak up on him. Maybe he knows that this photo will be used to embarrass him some day. Oh, and don't think I won't do it ;)

My Dream

I'm a dreamer. I don't mean the kind that dreams of the future (although I'm that also), I mean the kind of dreams that come to you as you sleep. I always dream...very vividly. Sometimes my dreams are sad or scary and sometimes I have very happy dreams...I don't want to wake up. Last night, I dreamed that Grace was walking. Not in her walker...really walking... no assisted device at all. She, out of the blue, stood up and started walked. Although the room was silent no one acted as if it was a big deal...as if it was a miracle. In this dream I was really happy and didn't want to wake up.

What makes this dream even stranger is that as I opened my email to read the Chapter of the day (Join the Journey) and it was this....

Mark 2 - Jesus Heals a Paralytic

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Now it's not the healing part of this story that the commentator focused on but the group of people who brought the man to Jesus. The group that supported the paralytic. The people that surrounded him with love. So, although I love the healing part of the story, and I pray that for Grace everyday, I also love that we have a support group just like the paralytic, that picks Grace and me up when we just can't walk anymore.

Grace Walking

I finally figured out how to record videos on my camera. We do have a video camera but for some reason I'm afraid of it. Anyway, here is short clip of Grace and her walker. We are still working on her not watching her feet but she is doing great!

Mancold

So, it's true!! I thought they have all been faking but they just get the Mancold. Poor, poor babies!

NiNi and Stickers

My mother (NiNi) came for a short visit. She brought stickers for the kids. Mack wanted to wear ALL of his. We are so glad you came NiNi.

She didn't say so, but I think she expected to see me bald and sipping tea with crumpets. She found neither of these things but I was babbling incoherently.

I Need To Make A Phone Call

Tonight Grace decided she needed to use the phone as she sat on the potty. I asked her who she was calling and she said "NiNi". Grace loves her NiNi!

Notice there is no one on the blue potty. Any ideas on how to get Mack to use it? The candy bribes aren't working . I'm thinking I may have to pull out the macaroni and cheese or a ham sandwich :)

Nervous Breakdown

I was thinking today that I might have a nervous breakdown. Then I rationalized... "If I was having a nervous breakdown would I know it? Hmmm....probably not." So, if I start shaving my hair off or speaking in a British accent will someone tell me I'm having a nervous breakdown. Thanks.

UGHHH Monday

It's a Monday and I'm feeling it. I thought if I got through January everything would be great. January was FULL of appointments, evaluations and therapies...not just for Grace but for Mack and Sophie as well. I'm exhausted and can't seem to pull myself out of the funk. I need to be making appointments for the ophthalmologist and the allergist but if I have to see one more doctor I may lose it. I'm just hoping Tuesday will be a better day.

In the meantime, this sweet girl is helping me with tax returns. She is adding numbers on the calculator with amazing accuracy. She just looked at my watch and said "Oh, that's a pretty bracelet". So we are going to go find more pretty jewelry. Maybe the day won't turn out all bad.

Super Bowl Commercial

Did you see this one....Bob's House? Way to go Pepsi!

Update on Conductive Education

Many of you have been asking about Conductive Education(CE) and Grace's progress. Thank you so much for your interest and concern. Grace has just finished a 4 week CE camp at A Child Can Do All Things and I'm happy to say that we are seeing some great things happening with her. She seems to be stronger in her trunk and is able to sit in a normal chair now with only wedge seat cushion while reading a book or coloring. This is such an improvement for her as she previously had to sit in a seat with full support. She still tires out but it is so exciting to see her sitting at a table with her brother and sister. She is also sitting in the floor unassisted for longer periods of time. We are working on moving in and out of this position.

We are also seen increased endurance in walking in her walker. She can now also adjust her legs without assistance when she gets in front or behind the walker. That is HUGE. She previously would just get stuck and we would have to adjust the walker for her.

In addition, we are hearing many new words and singing. Her communication skills have taken off. Grace's PT, OT and even her MDO teachers have all commented on Grace's improvements.

Now, I don't think that CE is a miracle cure, because we still have a long way to go but I do have to say that much of my original skepticism about the whole process is gone. I believe that CE along with PT, OT, and ST that Grace has been doing the past 2 years has gotten her this far. To be perfectly honest I think that the 3 hours of concentrated therapy she gets at CE cannot hurt. I, unfortunately, can't do this at home...I have too much help ;) To date Abe and I have bought into the CE idea enough to sign Grace up for at least two more camps...one in April and one in July. Now we just have to come up with the money. If you know of anyone who needs their tax return prepared in exchange for a donation to ACCDAT please let me know.

I wish I had photos to show Grace working at CE but so far I can only observe where she can't see me because if she does see me she starts the fake whining thing(she's really good at it) and just wants me. Hopefully that improves and I can get photos. She's doing great!!