Saying Hello!

Hi guys!

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted . . . I've been super busy. =0)

Just a little update . . .

Isaiah is 3!!! He just turned 3 yesterday (Wednesday, June 25th . . . at 6:23 pm). =0) Time goes by sooooooo fast! He had his birthday party today - it went really well . . . it was perfect! =0) He has been so excited about his birthday . . . last night when I was making his cake, all he talked about was his "happy birthday cake." Even today, when I brought in the balloons, he started dancing around singing "I love balloons!" (the song Annie sings in one of the movies from the Little Einsteins). =0) I can't wait until he wakes up tomorrow . . . I'm sure the excitement of his birthday will not have worn off one bit! =0)

Isaiah is doing well on his new medication. He finished the antibiotic with no issues - a VERY good thing - and seems to be doing well on the new asthma medication. The only problem with it is that he has to inhale it within a few seconds. He's starting to get tired of taking it (the newness and excitement in hearing the little whizzing tone has worn off), so now he fights me. =0( It's okay, though. It takes a little convincing, and sometimes I have to take out the nebulizer to convince him, but he eventually gives in and takes the medication. I feel like we waist too much of it though - he will sometimes act like he's going to take the medication, and then turn away . . . =0}

His rash seems to come and go right now. Mostly, it has improved. His feet are still crusty (as well as portions of his hands), but he only has a few spots of rash on his back, legs, tummy, and face. His hives have completely disappeared (the last time we went to the allergist, Isaiah had hives on his torso, and a few on his legs last week). Part of all of this could be because of one of his medications has been increased (the zantac, which is some kind of antihistamine) - based on an idea from the support group, and the further recommendation from Isaiah's allergist. The zantac actually helps control rashes (especially since Isaiah has issues with systemic reactions). Of course, I should also mention that God has played a HUGE role in all of this - His hand is on Isaiah's life, and I know that He is healing Isaiah.

Isaiah continues to amaze me with the things he's saying about God. He has said that God is talking to him, and runs to the TV to make sure we watch the revival - he says that we have to "see Jesus on TV." Please, know that Isaiah does not think that Todd Bentley or any of the other ministers on TV are Jesus - trust me, he knows the difference. He knows that Jesus is in the service. He even talks about Jesus at various times during the day. I think it's awesome that Isaiah can see Jesus - whether he sees Jesus or even just senses His presence. Either way - it's awesome! I also love how he talks to Jesus and worships - amazing!!!

Well, that's all for now! =0) Good night!

Kelly

Allergist Appointment

(the picture is of Isaiah making sounds like a lion - he's so goofy!) =0)

We had an appointment with the allergist today - she offered some help! She decided to try a different medication with Isaiah, to see if it would help control his asthma (I think it's advair). It's an inhaler (not a neb. treatment), so it may not work with him just yet (he doesn't exactly know that he has to inhale with his mouth on the contraption). . . and really, it's a contraption . . . there's like this mouthpiece on a bag, and you put the canister on the mouthpiece . . . yeh. =0) Until then, we continue to wean him off the albuterol treatments. It also looks like we are off to St. Petersburg to All Children's Hospital - they have a program for Isaiah (and I hope we have a better experience there than we did at Johns Hopkins). =0) It's about 5 hours from here, so it will be an overnight stay. The good thing is that they have a Ronald McDonald house for us to stay in for the appointment (which is in September). As far as the date, it's still better than we had with Johns Hopkins - we made the appointment in January or February and couldn't get in until September (or October). Since it's June, September isn't too bad I guess. At least this time I am not worried about what I should feed my child until then! =0)

Well, that's all for now!!
Kelly =0)

Update

Isaiah has been having asthma attacks, again. He has even had them in the middle of the night. When I took him to the doctor (his pediatrician), he just looked at me with a "Well, what do you expect me to do about it" type look (we didn't get to see the doctor we like). He basically told me to do what I was already doing, and just wait. I was thinking "wait?!?!?!?" The appointment was really a waist of time. It's not the first time that a doctor has just given up and done nothing. It's just frustrating that it has happened so much here recently. He's back on 11 medications a day (we had to add albuterol), and he has a treatment every 4 hours - by the 3rd hour he is beginning to cough, again. When he went to sleep tonight, his breathing almost sounded like snoring. At least we have an appointment with the allergist on Thursday - maybe she will be able to help us out a little. =0)

As far as the rash . . . he still has some patches, just not as bad as it was. However, it looks like he is starting to get the rash on his cheeks and patches on his arms and legs. It has been warmer here, and he has been sweating a lot more, so the rash is probably a reaction to that (people diagnosed with mastocytosis often react to hot and cold weather). He has also been playing on the back porch a lot (it's a "Florida room" - a screened in porch with windows, but no AC . . . we have fans, but are working on putting an AC out there). He hasn't really wanted to go outside either - I guess he's noticing that it bothers him, and makes him more itchy. It's still hard to tell when something hurts him, so it's possible he could have a tummy ache or something from the heat. He usually likes to go outside when it cools down, but then we have to watch the mosquitos.

I just want Isaiah to be healed. I know God can, I'd just like to know when. =0) At the revival, people just prayed strength over me - they prayed Isaiah would be healed, but in the same breath strength for me. I don't know, but it just seems like this isn't going to go away any time soon - no matter how much I want Isaiah to be healed. It's such an easy thing for God to do, but I am okay with whatever God wants, it's just so difficult.

On the bright side, Isaiah has been saying some new things. At the service (the first night we went), Isaiah said "Mommy, Jesus alive!" and "Mommy, Jesus here!" The second time we went, Isaiah started saying Jesus before we even parked the car. When I was getting him out of the car he started saying, "We see baby Jesus!" He has even started speaking with sentences outside of the service! Every time he sees the service on TV, he starts saying "It's Jesus! Baby Jesus!" He dances and even worships! I am totally amazed!! He's such a beautiful little boy, and so strong and brave! If anything, God is answering one prayer I have prayed over Isaiah since I knew he existed - for Isaiah to be a man after God's heart, and a servant of God (amongst other blessings). I pray that Isaiah lives up to his name - with the faith and relationship with God of Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah means "God is salvation" or "the salvation of the Lord"). As much as Isaiah speaks, it's possible he will grow up to be a preacher! =0)

Anyway, just keep him in your prayers - they are much appreciated! =0)

Love and God's blessings,

Kelly

Lakeland Revival

I am still pretty much speechless about the revival service in Lakeland. WOW! The presence of God was incredibly strong, and the service was amazing. I walked outside of the building once (to change Isaiah's pull-up) and looked up - there was a cloud hovering over the building with lightening! It reminded me of something you would read in the book of Exodus, you know when Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Just amazing. I want to go back - I didn't want to leave. People were being healed of all sorts of things. There was one man (an older man) who was weak and in a wheelchair who stood up and started walking. There was another young man who had cerebral palsy who was taking his first steps. Deaf people were being healed, including a little girl (about 4 or 5, maybe 6) who was deaf - it tugged at your heart when she began looking around (almost confused) because she could hear! Just amazing. God is so awesome!

Todd Bentley spoke a bit about God raising up women, and restoring their position in ministry. What he said spoke directly to me, confirming what God has been calling me to and the dreams I have had. I went looking for healing for my son, and received confirmation - God's too cool! =0)

Isaiah wasn't prayed for by Rev. Bentley, but he was prayed for by his interns - you could feel the power of God. There was so much warmth and just overall power - my arms were trembling and trying to find extra strength to hold on to Isaiah (who somehow fell asleep in all the beautiful noise). Isaiah had so much peace on his face that night (and he didn't itch that night either). I don't know exactly what happened with Isaiah, but I do know that he will be healed. It might not be today, or tomorrow, but it will happen.

I was also excited to see Shawn and Rachel - WITH GABE!!! =0) Their faith amazes me (and their dedication to Gabe's care is astounding). They are such wonderful parents!! Gabe was prayed for by Rev. Todd (as well as everyone else in the building). You could feel God's compassion in that place when everyone was praying for Gabe. Gabe even kicked a little, and I think I saw his eyes open just a little (probably to look at that man who was touching him). =0)

It was amazing - Gabe's color improved, and he was breathing much better when he came off the stage (I think I saw Rachel turn off Gabe's oxygen because he didn't seem to need it). Gabe might not have gotten up out of that stroller, but I know God is moving in his life and is healing him. The looks on Shawn and Rachel's faces were priceless, and just beamed with faith and hope. Just amazing - praise God! I can't wait to hear what's going on with Gabe now. =0)