sweet memories with just a lil' bit of bitter

We love this boy SO very much! Words could never express it.

On a warm summer afternoon, three years ago today, we walked into a courthouse in Naples, Florida carrying one of the most treasured gifts God has graced us with, our then almost 4 month old youngest son, AJ.

Minutes later, we stood before a very kind judge who proclaimed that Arthur Joseph, a/k/a "AJ", was our son in the eyes of the courts. In our eyes, he had already been our son, for many months prior. It was a great feeling to walk out of there knowing that the little boy who we fell crazy in love with on March 22, 2006 would forever be ours!

All ready to leave to the courthouse.

Happy Forever Family Day, my sweet baby boy! Our entire family is blessed beyond measure that you are in our lives and I thank God every single day for making it happen!

HE'S OURS FOREVER!

Now for the lil' bit of bitter...


Kai is once again being admitted tonight into the hospital. BUT....it's only for 1 night in order for him to have another sleep study performed.

Two weeks ago we went to visit a pediatric sleep specialist/pulmonologist. I took the reports of his first sleep study. To say that the man turned white when he saw the results is an understatement. Besides blurting out, quite loudly I might add, "OH MY GOD!" when he first opened the folder and read what was on the pages, he ended wth "It's a miracle this little boy is alive!" I knew that.

KAI. IS. A. MIRACLE.

God's fingerprints are all over this little boy.

So friends, I ask you to please lift him up once more tonight. As in the above picture from his previous sleep study, he will be covered in sensors from head to toe, along with some very uncomfortable straps. He's been through so much that telling him that he's going into the hospital again, even after reiterating the fact that there will be "no needles", sends him into a place filled with anxiety. He hates hospitals and has every reason to. I will, of course, be with him all night while Scott holds down the fort at home.

Specific prayers:

1. That he no longer de-sats (or at least minimal de-sats so that intervention is not required; i.e. another surgery, c-pap) during the night.

2. That he be at peace as we settle in and while they prepare him for the study.

Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for your prayers! Results for the study take approximately 4 weeks. (ugh!)

I will not be taking my laptop but I will be posting an update tomorrow.

quickie update

Unbelievably, it was a bee that stung my Dad. He was in the hospital most of the day, but after big doses of Benadryl and a little oxygen assistance, he was quickly on the road to recovery. Thank you all for your prayers.

P.S. Today is Scott's last day of his "real" job. Scary.

tid-bit & prayer request

We had a GREAT visit this weekend from a truly remarkable family that comes from Scott's neck of the woods, Massachusetts. What's even cooler is that Tracey, the Mama, was one of the first people who came out once when I requested lurkers to "show themselves". Am I ever glad she did!!! I loved her visit and have lots to share and will do so soon, with of course, pictures!

Right now, I want to ask for prayers for my Daddy. He was on his way to work and was apparently "bit" by something that flew into the car window. He quickly began having respiratory problems and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He's in another city, so we're awaiting news.

Please, dear friends, keep him in your prayers! I love my Daddy so much!

Thank you and I'll be posting soon!