CARSON AND ELLA GO TO A PARTY

Aunt Liz took Carson and Ella to Brianna's 5th Birthday party today. Ella was too sleepy to enjoy herself, but Carson had a great time jumping around, making new friends, and playing a round of basketball.

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A SMALL SET BACK

The last few days have been difficult for Heather. They have discovered that she is allergic to Codeine and has changed her medication. The new medicines don't seem to help as well, but she is trying to adjust. Her physical therapy is strenuous, but she is giving it all she can. The doctor informed her Thursday that she may get to come home May 20th. But then yesterday, she received news that she had a kidney stone. OUCH, I KNOW!! She was literally sick all day yesterday. So if any of you well wishers text or called yesterday and got no response, Heather sends her apologies as her head was in a puke bucket :) Sorry, I just couldn't pass that up. Anyway, as of today, Saturday she seems to be doing better, but sounds very weak on the phone. As for that measly kidney stone, it has passed out of her kidney and is now in her bladder. Hopefully she will pass it soon. She must still continue with her physical therapy. She did some excercises in the bed earlier this morning, and is now waiting on the next set. Ya'll continue to keep her in her prayers.

*Posted by Kristy

A BENEFIT FOR HEATHER

*I saw this on KellysKrazyKids Blog, I thought it would be good to put on Heather's blog. It is truly amazing how people come together to help others. I know her family is so appreciative.*

The O.P. Earle Elementary School PTO is sponsoring a Spring Gospel Concert at the Landrum High School Auditorium on May 27th at 6:30 PM. The Gospel group, Brothers 4, will perform. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted to help defer medical expenses for 4th grade teacher, Heather Cassidy, who was injured in an automobile accident on April 19th. We welcome the community to the concert and appreciate any and all donations for this worthy cause. If you have any questions, please contact Nita High, Principal at O.P. Earle at 457-3416 or e-mail her at nita.high@spart1.org

PIZZA WITH BRIANNA

Carson came over to have pizza with Brianna tonight for dinner. After eating cheese pizza, the 2 of them played on Webkinz and outside. They played on the swingset for a little bit, looked for berries in a tree, and I managed to play a quick inning of baseball with Carson. Carson had a good time. But I have to tell you, Heather, when I went to get Carson, Ella was sitting in the floor and she held them little arms up to me for me to pick her up. My heart just melted. She is just an angel. Don't want to make you all mushy so here are some pics:

Posted by Kristy

CINCO DE MAYO

There will be no cheese enchiladas for Heather today. Heather has been moved to Mary Black Hospital. Apparently there was a lot of miscommunication and some negligence on the physical therapy's part at Spartanburg Regional. I spoke to Heather around 5:00 today and she had just arrived at Mary Black. She will be on a very extensive physical therapy program that will begin in the mornings and will continue until 3:00. Therefore, she will not be allowed any visitors until after this time. I'm sure that they are going to expect a lot out of Heather, and I know that she may get discouraged at times. Please continue to pray that the Lord gives her the strength she will need to overcome these obstacles that have been placed before her.
*Heather, you are a tough girl. God saw you through that car accident for a reason. He definitely won't let something like "physical therapy" get you down. You be strong, and remember the outcome will be you getting to come home to your husband and kids. Maybe next time I see you, I'll get to take you for a spin outside for some fresh air:) Love ya.



*Posted by Kristy

Tiny Steps

Life is continuing to pass before my eyes in the hospital. I can't believe it has been TEN days already! I am beginning to adjust to life here. I am actually learning and adjusting to the routine quite well. I know in the mornings, I will be greeted by a team of doctors before six o'clock. There is nothing like being woken up by them each morning! I then receive a quick visit by my nurse around 7:30 or 8:00 of course to get my pain medication!!!! At about 9:00 my breakfast arrives, and of course it takes my entire family to convince me that it is essential that I eat! Usually right after breakfast, I get my daily "bath"! Sponge baths are definitely NOT a favorite of mine. Therapy usually follows. Each days the intensity increases. I am proud to admit that yesterday I made it from a laying position, to a sitting position, to a standing position, turned around, and into a sitting position in a chair.

My AMAZING FRIENDS and FAMILY continue to be my SUPPORT and SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is absolutely NO way I could complete this journey alone!!

CARSON HAS A DATE WITH BRIANNA

What was supposed to have been a trip to the zoo, ended up with a visit to GattiTown and a play date at my house. Carson was in really good spirits when I picked him up. He told Brianna all about how Heather was in a car accident. "Some mean guy ran a speed light and hit her." He said that she is doing better and sounds better. At GattiTown, Carson had lunch while watching the Fairly Odd Parents on a huge TV screen. Then he and Brianna went off to play. He took her for a ride in a monster truck, played basketball, and even won a stuffed animal at a "carnival game". I did attempt to take him to the zoo, but the weather had other plans. Carson wanted to come over for awhile to make a bug. He's been wanting to use Brianna's Creepy Crawly Bug Making Oven since she got it at Christmas. He made some bugs, played Play-doh, and watched Night at the Museum. The kids got along great and even cleaned up. Of course, I did have to use ice pop bribery to get the job done. Heather, don't you worry about Carson. He seems to be adjusting and is doing great!







*Posted by Kristy

BLOGGING "STAND IN"

Heather has given some of her "blogging buddies" permission to keep this blog of hers current. I told her about 3 nights ago that I would update it for her, but I was unable to get in. I had her user name and password, but could not get it to work. Imagine my surprise when I looked at her blog this morning and there was a posting from Heather! I should have known that being in a hospital bed for a week could not even keep this girl from blogging!*Heather, I cried while I read your words. Yes you are fortunate to have so much support, but we as your friends and family are fortunate as well because you are in our lives. You truly are one of the best people I know. Your spirit is amazing and it will be through the strength of the Lord and the help of your family and friends that you get through this. Oh yeah, if you guys are out there wondering how I finally managed to get logged into Heather's blog....I think I tried every arrangement possible of her password until finally it just worked. In any other circumstance I might be a little upset that I spent 3 days trying, but in this case I'll just chalk it up to Heather being doped up! :)

*Posted by Kristy

A Screetching Halt...

Life as I knew it and had unknowingly taken for granted took a dramatic CHANGE last Saturday night. I only have a few minutes to post since Sara is only visiting for a short while. To make the long story short, I was leaving Target on Saturday night when a car ran a redlight and hit me at a high rate of speed. Praise God that I was alone and that He protected those two small angels I typically carry around. I was rushed to the hospital, given emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen, and admitted to ICU. I had a pretty bruised up body and a fractured pelvis. I spent a couple of days in ICU before being moved to a regular room. I have grown physically emotionally, spiritually, and mentally over the past week.

I am completely HUMBLED at all of the LOVE, SUPPORT, and ENCOURAGEMENT that I have received. My emotions completely overwhelm me just at the thought of the tiniest acts of kindness I have received. I promise every single prayer, hug, smile, word of encouragement, massage, bouquet of flowers, card, letters, banner, snack, willingness to keep my two children, calls, rubbing of my hairy legs, moving of my catheter, assistance with washing my hair with waterless shampoo, text messages, visits, etc. will NEVER be forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I sit here in this hospital bed exactly one week later questioning "why me?" and praising God at the same time for MY LIFE, I must close this post as my friends do actually still have lives and other engagements! I ask that you continue to pray for my two children as they are now adjusting to a much different life with their mommy, for my husband as he continues to be my ROCK, for my parents as they now know what it's like to be full-time parents again, for my sister who is truly my best friend, for my in-laws who accept me as their own, for my friends as they continue to support me, for my remaining family members who are willinging to do anything to help, and for my precious forty or so children who are now adjusting to life with a new teacher!!!!!!!!!

I promise I have lots of pictures to post very soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ella At Fourteen Months!

Where's the pause button?!?! Sara and I talked today about how quickly time is flying by with Ella, but God keeps blessing us with more time with BABY Ella! She seems so much more of a baby than Carson was at this same age! For that, I am so grateful!!!!!!!!!!!! Because, according to Daddy, Ella completes our family!! Um...not so sure I agree!

Roo at Fourteen Months:
Has a precious toothy grin
Has started growling at Carson when he is "bothering" her
Loves to walk around holding onto to things
Still is not walking on her own
Has a yucky cough
Will NOT drink from a sippy cup for anything! (Yes, I do know what the doctor will say!)
Still only has two teeth, but we do see hints of others
Loves to look out the window at Harley
Has started waking up throughout the night for a bottle
Still hasn't had her one year shots (trying to put it off as long as possible)
Still hasn't gone back to daycare
Loves to climb up in Carson's rocking chair
Loves to STAND up in Carson's rocking chair
Enjoys dancing
Loves books
Loves playing Peek-a-Boo
Has learned to "talk" on the telephone
Enjoys making her brother mad by playing with the remote when he is trying to watch a show
Still eats mostly baby food
LOVES to be outside
Weighs about eighteen pounds
Plays pretty well by herself
Is completely spoiled rotten by her daddy
Enjoys spending time with Ethan (especially when he takes her for rides)
Doesn't seem to enjoy the bath as much as she used to
Is counting down to the time when she can have a stay-at-home mommy
Is starting to get a little more hair
Will only let CERTAIN people rock her to sleep
Does not seem as afraid of strangers
Does not seem to get as upset at the sound of laughter
Loves to cuddle
Is addicted to her pacifier
Holds her hands up in the cutest way when she wants to be picked up
Likes to sit in her mommy's lap in the morning when she is trying to get ready for work
Continues to melt my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Very Familiar Resemblance!!

Trisha, Ella wanted to post this just for you!!!!!!! She's learning early, so you better watch out!

Aww...

Roo developed a horrible case of hives yesterday afternoon after the pediatrician's office closed of course. Being the paranoid mother that I am, I didn't want to take a chance and wait until Monday for a doctor to see her. We opted for Doctor's Care rather than Urgent Care or the Emergency Room, both of which we have had HORRIBLE experiences. Well, the doctor at Doctor's Care didn't have experience with children under two, so he told us that he didn't feel comfortable making a diagnosis. I guess I am grateful for his honesty. The office was kind enough to locate another doctor for us who did have experience with little ones, so we ventured to yet another doctor's office. Our second doctor was WONDERFUL! She seemed to think Roo had an allergic reaction to something. Her hives had improved greatly just in the time it took to travel to the second office. We tried to make Roo as comfortable as possible, but as the night approached the fussiness increased, and she even developed a slight fever. Needless to say, it was a very sleepless night around our house. This morning her hives were out-of-control. Her poor little body looked horrible and she was fussy, fussy, fussy. I ended up calling the on-call service for our pediatrician. After answering two thousand questions, I was given the advice to try Benadryl. Benadryl did help somewhat with the rash, but not the crankiness. Nothing is worse than trying to take care of an inconsolable baby with you have had no sleep!

Trish and Ryan stopped by just as I had finally rocked Ella to sleep, so Trish could bring Carson a prize! I tried to move with Ella asleep, but that didn't work. Ella was AWAKE again and full of cries! Trish saved the day AGAIN!! She rocked little Roo to sleep and continued to rock her until she received a special visitor with a special prize! Her super-precious boyfriend, Ethan, came by to bring her a little treat to make her feel all better. Ella was a completely different baby once Ethan arrived. She wanted out of Trish's lap to play. She smiled her little toothy grin, talked, crawled, and played like nothing was wrong with her at all! Ethan brought Ella her first flower and a little balloon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After playing inside for a little while, we ventured outside so Ethan could take Ella for a little ride in her car, and of course so Carson could play baseball and basketball with Trisha and Ryan.

Thanks Trisha, Jessica, and Ethan! You are the BEST!

A Perfect Day at the Zoo!

We "officially" ended our Spring Break with a trip to Riverbanks Zoo! We got up super early and met Trish, Jessica, Cassie, and Ethan on Friday to begin our day-long journey to Columbia. Carson was so super-excited! I think we must have heard "Are we there yet?" a million times within the first thirty minutes of driving! We arrived to much colder and cloudier weather than expected. I was accused of looking up the weather of Colombia, South America instead of Columbia, South Carolina! Mommy of the Year had Carson wearing shorts and short sleeves with no jacket! After wrapping himself in a blanket for a few minutes, I guess he decided to be a little chilly. He didn't care. All that mattered to him was seeing all of the animals. He was slightly impatient at the beginning. He just wanted to glance at each animal and move right along. He was wanting to find the hippo and gorillas. All children were great until lunch. I think Ella must sense when her mommy is about to eat because for some reason that is when she always decides to become inconsolable!!!!!!! That must be her idea of a weight loss program! I did manage to almost eat my entire lunch with a screaming baby in my arms. After eating, Roo took a little nap while we enjoyed the sea lions and the gorillas! Carson LOVED the gorillas. I think he spent the most time watching them than he did anything else at the zoo. Toward the end of our visit, Carson, Trish, and Cassie watched a bird show while the babies finally had a diaper change. A trip to the carousel, playground, and gift shop ended our day at the zoo! We actually managed to leave the gift shop only spending 2.99 on a little camera that showed pictures of animals. This is definitely a record!

We couldn't leave Columbia without a trip to the mall! A trip to a place where there are too many kid things is always stressful with a five year old. Carson wanted everything from a Webkinz to a cookie. He even tried to be sneaky and try to convince me to let him make a Build-a-Bear for Trisha! He is so super sweet! Ella didn't let me down this time during dinner. She proceeded to scream and cry and even choke while I was trying to eat!! Maybe one day I will enjoy a meal again.

Our ride home was pretty eventful and stormy! Carson and Ella finally crashed, so it was nice to have a little time for a kid-free conversation without hearing "Mommy", "Mommy", "Mommy"!

We had a FABULOUS day, and I am very SAD that Spring Break is OVER!!!!!!!!!

Thursday Thirteen

Brian had to travel out of town for work on Tuesday night, so while daddy was away WE PLAYED!! Poor Carson was stuck in a house full of girls! At one point, he said he would just bring Harley inside!

13 Slumber Party Tidbits
1. I am way better than Trish at Wii bowling!!! (I must add that I have NEVER played before and she's played MANY times!)
2. I can stay up ALL night long and only function on one hour sleep the next day quite well with two small children.
3. When all else fails at 12:30 with a screaming baby, take a ride. It may not get her to sleep, but it sure stops the SCREAMING!
4. Texting is out of control! :)
5. Placing bets on Wii can be fun, but can also bring back blasts from the past!
6. Wii baseball is way too hard for me. Carson enjoyed it though!
7. Cooking grilled cheese sandwiches at 4:30 in the morning with "spray butter" will result in laughter!
8. Sarabeth and I can play baseball and cheerlead all at the same time!
9. My two children ADORE Trish and Sarabeth. I must say I think they're pretty grand too!
10. Wii is very addictive. Carson had to remind us several times about SHARING!
11. I didn't have my camera, so I didn't get any pictures at all! That is so not like me!
12. We shouldn't have scheduled someone to come drill holes around our house so early the next morning!
13. The slumber party was so much fun and just what I needed!!

GIRL TIME IS THE BEST!