This and That

So, I don't have a lot of new things to say, so, I figured I'd update on several miscellaneous things!

Tanner is really enjoying school. He's doing well in 3rd grade and learning a lot. He's in deaf education for reading and language, and is mainstreamed with an interpreter for the rest of his classes. He loves school, we're so thankful for that!

One day, in social studies, the children were writing what their parents jobs were, and Tanner wrote down that his Dad is an office worker and his Mom is a typist. We cracked up when we heard this! Yesterday he came home and admitted that he hit a student, and explained the boy laughed at his underwear. So, while trying not to laugh myself, we discussed next time, he should try to ignore the boy.

A couple of weeks ago we saw the pediatric neurologist, who was not very happy with how Tanner's migraines have been progressing. So, we've changed medications again. This is our last option for what's approved for children and has some side effects that we need to keep an eye on through regular bloodwork, but, so far, it seems to be working. We're weaning him off of 2 other medicines, so, we're happy to have him down to 2 instead of 4! We're also hoping and praying that this will work for a while, most of the medications seem to work for a couple of months and then lose their efficacy, we hope that doesn't happen this time. It's also been about 2 weeks since his last migraine, we're so thankful for that!

I'm not sure I've previously shared this before but, thought it was special and decided to write about it. One evening this summer, after we had been to the emergency room with Tanner I fell asleep, but, slept restlessly. I woke up in the middle of the night singing the chorus of a song from the Gaither Trio. I hadn't heard this song in many, many years - and yet, what a blessing and special comfort for God to give me this song. I sang the chorus for days, feeling such a comfort and reassurance - and thank the Lord for this amazing gift. Here's the song:

"Because He Lives" by Bill Gaither

God Sent His Son, They Called Him Jesus; He Came To Love, Heal And Forgive.
He Lived And Died To Buy My Pardon; An Empty Grave Is There To Prove My Savior Lives.

Chorus:
Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow
Because He Lives, All Fear Is Gone
Because I Know He Holds The Future
And Life Is Worth The Living, Just Because He Lives

How Sweet To Hold A Newborn Baby, And Feel The Pride And Joy He Gives;
But Greater Still The Calm Assurance: This Child Can Face Uncertain Day Because He Lives.

And Then One Day I'll Cross The River; I'll Fight Life's Final War With Pain.
And Then, As Death Gives Way To Vict'ry, I'll See The Lights Of Glory And I'll Know He Reigns.

Labor Day weekend we took a trip to visit Jon's sister and brother-in-law, Nece & Steele at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Tanner loved all of the airplanes, and we enjoyed some relaxing time with family as well as the cool weather! Here are a few pictures from the trip as well as a couple of pictures from a fun day hiking and at a park this past Sunday.

End of Summer/Back to School

Well, I finished out the summer following my routine of not posting much!

We enjoyed the rest of the summer (or, more accurately, the time before school starts, since it's still summer and 100 degrees!) with a visit from my mom, some swimming, shopping, playing, and spending time together.

Here are a few pictures from my mom's visit.The Sunday before mom left, Tanner had a migraine, so, she took a trip to the ER with me (for IV medicine to stop the vomiting and try to decrease the headache) and Jon was able to stay home and sleep so he could go to work on Monday.

A week later, he had another migraine and ER visit. We've decided that we're there a little too often when the people at the front desk greet Tanner by name! :)

His migraines are worsening and no one can really tell us much about this. We are assuming it is because of the leukodystrophy (on a leukodystrophy forum, a lot of people discuss their struggles with migraines as part of the disease). We've tried different medicines and adding, increasing and changing them, they all seem to work for a little while. We will see the pediatric neurologist next week and see if he has any new ideas.

It's very difficult to watch him suffering, but, it's amazing to see how he gets through and deals with it. He's really an inspiration. Despite watching him in pain, it's not easy, but, Tanner's attitude and perseverance make it easier to try to live out Philippians 4:4-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. "

This morning I was reflecting on the gardens and seasons. Most of our plants and flowers are brown, wilted and pitiful. The last few tomatoes are turning red, but, for the most part, those plants are finished. Soon, though, with the beginning of autumn, some of the plants and flowers will perk up and flourish once again. I'm looking forward to sitting outside, enjoying the cool weather and the blooming flowers once again. We're hoping and praying that Tanner will be like the plants that flourish and perk up once fall arrives, but, recognize that the season of more sickness and pain is realistic as well. Thankfully, most of the time, we do feel that peace which transcends all understanding.

On to a more enjoyable topic, yesterday was Tanner's first day of 3rd grade! He was excited and ready to go. He had a headache & didn't feel great, but, definitely enjoyed the day! Here are a few pictures!

Goodbye July

Well, I thought I'd try to get in one more update before the end of the month since I'm lagging in my summer posting, so, here it is!

Thank you for all your prayers while we were at TSD (Texas School for the Deaf) in Austin a couple of weeks ago, Tanner did GREAT! Thanks to everyone who cared for him - it was so helpful. He did not have any migraines, praise the Lord! It was even another week after we were home before he had one (which was 2.5 weeks since the previous one - yeah)!

We had a fun time at La Torretta in Conroe and enjoyed a relaxing weekend as a family. Tanner wasn't too thrilled back at home with only mom again, but, he's excited that Grandma Lenger is coming to visit next week (actually, we all are excited), so hopefully we'll have some fun things to share in the next post.

Have a great weekend!

Quick update

Wow, I'm definitely not a good blogger in the summer! We are enjoying our summer and are looking forward to next week. Tanner will be staying with some friends and attending police camp at the children's museum, while Jon and I attend a communication skills workshop at Texas School for the Deaf in Austin (all in ASL). When the workshop is finished, we're all excited to spend the weekend at a hotel while Jon attends a conference for work.

Tanner's migraines have not improved. Since the last post Tanner has had 2 or 3 migraines and is trying to avoid one as I'm writing this. We've increased one of the medications and changed the time we give it to him and are praying that will start working soon.

I think that Jon and I have both been down lately because of this. Wondering about the future, trying not to worry. We are trying to focus on a Father who knows the answers and holds us all tightly in His arms, but, are still sad about the pain and suffering Tanner is going through.

We would appreciate your prayers for his headaches, and specifically, that he would not have any next week while we are in Austin. Thank you for your love for our family.

It's Summer!

It's definitely summer here! We've been busy ever since school finished.

We had a great weekend in Rockport at Camp Aranzazu as soon as school ended. Our amazing hosts and friends Tammie and Tracy Shelton brought us fishing, taught us the high ropes, and showed us baby foxes. We did a few other things that weekend as well and had a memorable time!

Here is Tanner climbing the rock wall at the camp.

The day after we arrived home, Tanner began swimming lessons. He loves the pool and enjoyed being able to swim every day for two weeks!

Tanner also had his last baseball game along with the closing ceremonies and of course, a trophy!

Last week Tanner went to "Beyond the Moon" camp at the George Bush Library. He loved it! Rockets are a big interest right now, so it was a perfect thing for him to do. His favorite thing was to stand on a floor that vibrates & shakes as you watch videos of the space shuttle taking off - the first day he went on it 8 times! Eventually he had to be encouraged (AKA, forced to leave) to join the rest of the class & see some other things!

This week we have Sports Camp at our church every evening, Tanner is excited that he will be playing soccer. We're not looking forward to the heat though (high 90's)!

Health wise, things aren't as good as we wish they were. I started this post last Wednesday, and stopped because we had to bring Tanner to the ER due to another migraine. He's continued having them almost weekly and the pain seems to be worsening. Normally, the meds at the ER stop the vomiting and also take care of the headache. This time, it stopped the vomiting & helped him fall asleep, but, he still had the headache the following day. We're hoping and praying the medication that was increased a few weeks ago is still needing some time to kick in!

So, that's the latest news here! Tanner is waiting for a tennis partner, so, I'd better get going!