Flashback Friday

This post is especially meaningful in that this morning I thought I had lost all of my files . . . all of them. Who knows what happened, but thankfully God fixed it and all of my files are still on my computer. Really, I had started crying because I thought I had lost everything on my computer. Frustrating as these electronic gadgets are, they store a great deal of our life stories . . . at least in pictures. Yes, I do backup my files, but I haven't done that for a couple of months, so everything that I had placed on my computer from the last couple of months would have been lost. Again, thankfully, it's all there . . . or here. . . you get the picture. =0)

Anyway, what better time for a Flashback Friday than a day where you think you've lost the majority of your photos (yes, I have a lot of printing to do). =0)

Hmmm, let's see . . . a photo from February 2005 (the photos when we first learned that Isaiah was going to be a boy - though that picture will not be posted): =0)

Of course these pictures did not come easily. I have to say that I was quite stupid for driving all the way to the doctor's office in a blinding snowstorm (really, no exaggeration, either) - a 45 minute trip turned into a much longer trip considering I couldn't see anything in front of my car until I arrived at the office. I was driven by the desire to see my baby perhaps for the last time before he would be welcomed into life outside the womb. I couldn't resist seeing his little black and white image and hearing the thumps of his heart . . . I was obsessed with the visits! =0)

And another . . . a few photos from February 2006. It was around this time that the words systemic mastocytosis would have been introduced into our vocabulary, and Isaiah would have fully anaphylaxed for the first time (I say fully, because the vomiting episodes and hives before this did not involve breathing difficulties and unconsciousness). Severe food allergies also entered into existence and the words "change your diet so that your child will live" were spoken to me for the first time. Nothing like those words to wake you up to reality and gravity of a situation. Still, such a beautiful and perfect little guy!

And, still, another . . . a photo from February 2007. This month, we were to travel from Maryland to settle here in Florida - of course, we will have been here 2 years in about a week.

Lastly, a photo from February 2008. It's amazing how fast our children grow! I can hardly believe that we couldn't understand the majority of what this little guy was saying. =0) Of course, we still have trouble understanding him, but he says much more now. He also couldn't use a fork or spoon nor a regular cup. It's amazing how far he has come in just one year!

It's amazing to see what God has done with this little man. The life I was told should not have been is in existence - God had other plans. Isaiah is a fulfillment of a promise God made to me a while ago. Yes, I'm young, but it was still a while ago to me. =0) Especially when you find out so young that biological children may not be part of your future. I'm so glad that God had other plans! =0) God is AWESOME!!!!

Wordless Wednesday (and a few extras)

"Gardening" (aka picking up sticks) with a fake wrench =0)

Blowing Bubbles

This is how you throw a "hutbol"

And this is how you run away from the "hutbol" you just threw =0)

A serious "hutbol" face =0)

A crazy-hair-blowing-in-the-breeze-while-you're-running face =0)

The face you're supposed to make before you throw the "hutbol" =0)

Ahhhh, relaxation =0)

Well, it was almost a wordless Wednesday. I just wanted to explain the next pictures. We actually had frost - in Florida!!!! We even had ice! =0) Of course, these were taken a couple of weeks ago when we were having a cold spell . . . but I still really wanted to share them with you! =0) Hey, it's the closest thing to snow this part of FL will ever see on the ground! =0)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

I know I haven't posted much lately, but Isaiah and I have had colds.

A quick update on my mom, though - all of her tests came back with great reports! Everything was negative!!! She is doing well, still no tummy pain. =0)

I also wanted to say, Happy Valentine's Day! (or ValenSlime's Day as I have heard . . . ) =0)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Please Pray for Abby . . .

Quick update on Abby . . . her mother just called from the hospital to tell Abby's dad to drop everything and come to the hospital. Please, pray for Abby and her family.


Abby is a beautiful little girl who is fighting cancer. She is in the hospital with sores and infections. Her G-tube is leaking and her abdomen is bloated and tender - she has also had a fever today. Since she is on chemo, she also has no immune system. Please pray for this little girl and her family, and please visit her site at http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/ for more updates (and to leave messages for her family).

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Also, please keep my mom in your prayers as well. She is still having testing done (related to the ulcers and some other testing as well). She still feels no pain in her stomach, but will be having another endoscopy done sometime next week. I will keep you guys posted!

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Since I'm actually finding the time to write, =0) I figured I would give you a little update on Isaiah as well. Isaiah was put on a new med (just in case I haven't told you yet), and it seems to be working. Just a quick recap, in case I forgot to tell you: We had Isaiah's follow-up allergist appointment with his local allergist, and I expressed concern about Isaiah's GI issues (severe constipation, sparing details). Since Isaiah was on Gastrocrom as an infant, the doctor felt that it might be worth a try. Well, it took about a week, but Isaiah is doing much better! He is able to go without any pain!!! It's amazing how fast that stuff works! =0)

This really is a praise report, as well, since his appetite has improved and the rash that was around his mouth is also gone (of course, in addition to the constipation being nonexistent)! I can finally see his beautiful skin on his face!!! =0) He still has a few spots of it here and there (mostly around his eyes and on his cheeks), but the rash around his mouth is gone! He still gets a mottled appearance (red splotches) where the rash was, but I'm guessing that's because his skin is still healing.

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And, since I'm here, my dad is also doing pretty well. He is still having memory issues (which seem to come and go), but he seems happier. He has also had some pain and cold spells, but overall has done really well the past week. Please, continue to pray for him as well.

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That's all for now, but I also wanted to leave you with a flashback . . . since it's Friday. =0)