Thank you for your prayers. We saw answered prayers today at our visit to the neurologist. The doctor has decided to change Tanner's medicine. We are so thankful because we were hoping that he wouldn't want to continue increasing the current medication as well as possibly increasing the side effects. He spent a lot of time with us today and we are thankful for that as well. Tanner's headaches continue and we pray that the changing medications over the next several weeks will help resolve them before school starts!
Despite the headaches, he continues to enjoy his summer. This past Friday he had the honor of throwing out the first pitch for the Brazos Valley Bombers (thanks for setting that up Kim and David - what a memorable night!), we'll try to add pictures of that soon. We are also looking forward to a quiet week at home this week after a busy couple of weeks out of town.
Also, in case you're wondering, no signs of Iane (the duck) lately.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Dodging Dolly
Hello! We are currently enjoying a conference in Galveston (Texas Association of Parents and Educators for the Deaf) where we are having a great time and tonight enjoyed seeing the big waves that are part of the outskirts of Hurricane Dolly. It's a bit windy and dark and cloudy, but, that's the extent of it here. We have had a good time visiting the rainforest and several 3D IMAX movies and other cool things here at Moody Gardens where the conference is taking place.
This is just a quick update to let you know how Tanner has been. Of course, he's been enjoying Galveston and being able to communicate with so many people! He's disappointed that we'll be going back home tomorrow. If you would please continue praying for his headaches. They have continued on and off. It seems the increased medication has helped somewhat, but, not all the time! We will be going to see the neurologist in Temple on Monday, we are hoping he has some ideas, but are not necessarily expecting much.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
This is just a quick update to let you know how Tanner has been. Of course, he's been enjoying Galveston and being able to communicate with so many people! He's disappointed that we'll be going back home tomorrow. If you would please continue praying for his headaches. They have continued on and off. It seems the increased medication has helped somewhat, but, not all the time! We will be going to see the neurologist in Temple on Monday, we are hoping he has some ideas, but are not necessarily expecting much.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Freedom and Forgiveness
Last week we went to the lake to allow Iane to be free! We thought it would be best to prepare Tanner, so we told him on Monday that we would be bringing Iane (Tanner's name for the duck - we pronounced it Ian) to the lake on Thursday. Tanner wanted to bring him right then! I tried to convince him to wait, but, no. So, we gathered up our cameras & headed to the lake. As we walked Tanner told us "Iane is SO excited, he's excited to live at the lake!" Iane, on the other hand, did not appear to be as excited (despite plenty of exposure to water and swimming). Here' s a short video of Tanner encouraging Iane to get in the lake.
Since Iane wouldn't get in, Tanner decided he needed to show Iane how to swim (I didn't include that entertaining video). Finally, Iane felt comfortable in the lake and found a nice spot to hang out and eat. As we walked back home, I was very teary, but Tanner maintained his excitement that Iane was free and happy. I kept waiting for him to be upset, but, it didn't happen, and I wished I could respond that way.
Another day last week, Tanner and I were doing some school work, trying to keep up during the summer. He was having difficulty recalling some words, and I was becoming frustrated and sad. He was tired of doing schoolwork and started talking back and cried when he was reprimanded. Then, I started crying and we sat crying together. I told him I was sorry for getting so upset and he signed "I forgive you" and was ready to play a game together. Wow...that's not how I respond when someone wrongs me! I want to stay upset for a while, make sure they remember that they harmed me in some way, but, not Tanner. His example of forgiving is so much more Christ-like.
I am reminded daily through the amazing blessing of Tanner, to be thankful and happy for what God has given me.. right now.. today; to forgive and move on, because there's something better to do than to ruminate and hold onto things; and to love life right now, because it's better than any other gift we could imagine.
Despite these reminders, there have definitely been some struggles as well. I recently heard the song on the radio "Jesus Bring the Rain" and decided I don't want to ask for that anymore. I'd rather have sunshine and life without the painful, unknown future. But, I love that our Father accepts that - not only accepts it, but welcomes my sadness, frustration and anger and lets me sit with that and helps me get through it until I can say those words again "And I know there'll be days When this life brings me pain But if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus, bring the rain." And if it's not tomorrow, He'll wait with me until the next day, or the next, or next week, or next month, however long it takes, because He's strong enough to handle my pain and insecurities! What a tremendous Father that is constantly offering me freedom and forgiveness, and without that, how incredibly lost I would be!
Here are a couple of things we would appreciate your prayers for:
First, Tanner's headaches have recently returned. This is what precipitated the doctors visits that led to the leukodystrophy diagnosis. He had headaches (migraines) for 6 weeks before we were able to get medication at a correct dose that helped get rid of them. Well, the headaches seem to have started again 3 days ago. He still goes on wanting to play and is happy, and is not a complainer, but, definitely does not feel well. Please pray for the headaches to subside and that we won't need to continue to increase the medicine. We were hoping to wean him off of it this summer, but, that looks like it won't be happening.
Second, we would appreciate your prayers for us. It's hard to know when Tanner is very emotional, or not focusing, not paying attention, etc., whether that is him being a boy, his medication, or the leukodystrophy. So, it's really difficult to know whether to continue to encourage him and push him, or to let things be. It's a hard place to be and very frustrating for both of us.
So, to end on a happier note, here are a few pictures from last week.
Tanner and Jon are enjoying the pool at our friends house on 4th of July. We had a fun time swimming, eating, playing games, and singing Happy Birthday!
Relaxing and waiting to see fireworks with Kyle & Audra.
We had a great time visiting the Brayton Fire School with a friend, her husband and their grandchildren. Tanner loved being a fireman and especially loved watching the fires!
Thank you again for your love and prayers that help to sustain us.
Another day last week, Tanner and I were doing some school work, trying to keep up during the summer. He was having difficulty recalling some words, and I was becoming frustrated and sad. He was tired of doing schoolwork and started talking back and cried when he was reprimanded. Then, I started crying and we sat crying together. I told him I was sorry for getting so upset and he signed "I forgive you" and was ready to play a game together. Wow...that's not how I respond when someone wrongs me! I want to stay upset for a while, make sure they remember that they harmed me in some way, but, not Tanner. His example of forgiving is so much more Christ-like.
I am reminded daily through the amazing blessing of Tanner, to be thankful and happy for what God has given me.. right now.. today; to forgive and move on, because there's something better to do than to ruminate and hold onto things; and to love life right now, because it's better than any other gift we could imagine.
Despite these reminders, there have definitely been some struggles as well. I recently heard the song on the radio "Jesus Bring the Rain" and decided I don't want to ask for that anymore. I'd rather have sunshine and life without the painful, unknown future. But, I love that our Father accepts that - not only accepts it, but welcomes my sadness, frustration and anger and lets me sit with that and helps me get through it until I can say those words again "And I know there'll be days When this life brings me pain But if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus, bring the rain." And if it's not tomorrow, He'll wait with me until the next day, or the next, or next week, or next month, however long it takes, because He's strong enough to handle my pain and insecurities! What a tremendous Father that is constantly offering me freedom and forgiveness, and without that, how incredibly lost I would be!
Here are a couple of things we would appreciate your prayers for:
First, Tanner's headaches have recently returned. This is what precipitated the doctors visits that led to the leukodystrophy diagnosis. He had headaches (migraines) for 6 weeks before we were able to get medication at a correct dose that helped get rid of them. Well, the headaches seem to have started again 3 days ago. He still goes on wanting to play and is happy, and is not a complainer, but, definitely does not feel well. Please pray for the headaches to subside and that we won't need to continue to increase the medicine. We were hoping to wean him off of it this summer, but, that looks like it won't be happening.
Second, we would appreciate your prayers for us. It's hard to know when Tanner is very emotional, or not focusing, not paying attention, etc., whether that is him being a boy, his medication, or the leukodystrophy. So, it's really difficult to know whether to continue to encourage him and push him, or to let things be. It's a hard place to be and very frustrating for both of us.
So, to end on a happier note, here are a few pictures from last week.
Tanner and Jon are enjoying the pool at our friends house on 4th of July. We had a fun time swimming, eating, playing games, and singing Happy Birthday!
Relaxing and waiting to see fireworks with Kyle & Audra.
We had a great time visiting the Brayton Fire School with a friend, her husband and their grandchildren. Tanner loved being a fireman and especially loved watching the fires!
Thank you again for your love and prayers that help to sustain us.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Home Again!
Well, we are back home after a wonderful trip to Glen Lake, Michigan. We spent the week with my (Shelly's) family (2 sisters, their husbands and children and my parents). It was a relaxing, enjoyable week with amazing weather! I enjoyed wearing a light jacket every morning!
We had a lot of fun playing miniature golf (twice), going out to dinner (adults only, thanks Meg & Haley!) to celebrate Mom & Dad's 40th anniversary, swimming, golfing, playing at the park, skipping stones at Lake Michigan, sailing, paddle-boating (is that a word?), playing in the sand, fishing, climbing (and running down) the sand dunes, enjoying s'mores by a campfire, as well as a lot of reading, resting and playing games! It was a great week of making memories. Here are a few pictures from the week!
Happy 4th of July!
We had a lot of fun playing miniature golf (twice), going out to dinner (adults only, thanks Meg & Haley!) to celebrate Mom & Dad's 40th anniversary, swimming, golfing, playing at the park, skipping stones at Lake Michigan, sailing, paddle-boating (is that a word?), playing in the sand, fishing, climbing (and running down) the sand dunes, enjoying s'mores by a campfire, as well as a lot of reading, resting and playing games! It was a great week of making memories. Here are a few pictures from the week!
Happy 4th of July!
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