Update...Grandon

As promised....an update on Grandon...After many months of an emotional roller coaster ride, we can finally stop the ride and get off!!!!

Grandon had his MRI this morning, with his doctor's appointment following. The emotions were really high this morning, as we walked into yet another pre-op room, I had flash backs of my 3 month old little boy getting ready for his first surgery. I figured that by now that this would get easier, but I realized that the 5th time around really isn't the charm. I can say with all assurety that, the process will NEVER get easier.

We got Grandon in his hospital gown, they gave him some versed to help calm him down (kinda makes him feel like he's had 3 too many) and then it was IV time. This is where you learn just exactly how strong Grandon is, I know this from the many times I've had to hold him down for his shots, Clayton on the other hand hadn't had to witness this. That is seriously one of the hardest things to do as a mother, hold your son down so an IV can be put in him, especially when he isn't grasping all the details. After wiping away many tears and singing a few Jesus songs, he calmed down, night night medicine went in him and he was out.

Now it was time for the part that makes me break down each time, going left when they are going right. Every time I stand there and watch them wheel away my baby, the tears come out, I know it's coming, I know it's going to happen, but every time I cry. (Clayton usually holds me real tight and lets me cry it out and say this isn't fair, then we move on)

The MRI took about an hour with recovery taking about 45 minutes. We left the hospital and went right over to the doctors office. A huge weight was lifted off our shoulders when the doc said, that everything looked good and clear. No signs of damage, no masses showing up, and blood vessels seem to be working properly. Our prayers truly have been answered, from our understanding, there is only like a 5% chance that with Grandon's eye condition that it comes out good news.

Still trying to wake up from the "night night" medicine

So what does this mean....well Grandon suffers from chronic migraines (he gets to thank his mommy for that), he will be going on a medication regimen in hopes that we can get them under control, so he isn't living in pain everyday due to them. Once we have them under control we can get maintenance going, which hopefully that combined with growing, will correct his pupil size difference.

The power of prayer is so amazing, and we thank everyone who offered up prayers on Grandon's behalf and Clayton and I's. Grandon is such a blessing to us and everyone he's ever met, I couldn't imagine not having him just the way he is, he's perfect!

Update...

Just a little update on Grandon...

He faithful did his two week special diet, and it didn't make any changes, the doctor has him on a special medicine that makes him eat like a horse and sleep like a bear.

He is getting an MRI done on July 10th at 8:30am, we will get the results back the same day, so I'll post an update after all that is said and done.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, please keep them coming.

Goodbye 4 Hello 5!!!

We've had a busy past few weeks, getting ready for Madison's birthday party!!! June 8th was her birthday and she had her party on Saturday June 9th, at her Oma's house.

On her actual birthday she wanted to go out to eat for her birthday, so we went to a local mexican resturant and they came out sang to her and let her were "a big hat". At first she was upset that it wasn't a Cat in the Hat, hat, but then she came around!

Isn't so just so darn cute with that hat on!

 Clayton and I worked together to make these way cute invitations for her birthday, I'm so glad Clayton is always happy and willing to help me out with my craft projects.

They came out way cute, I'm so glad she wanted a ballet birthday!

 We didn't want to spend a ton of money on goodie bags, so we decided to make cute ballet cookies, after much research on pinterest, I found this website that showed us how to make professional type cookies. Okay so maybe ours don't look professional, but for our first go around they didn't come out to bad.

We were only up till 5 in the morning doing them.

 Since we had a 2 o'clock birthday party, I served light snacks, Madison wanted her pink sugar waffers so she had them. The picture doesn't show but we had 12 balloons hanging upside down from the ceiling.

I LOVE the way her cake turned out, my awesome friend Sharon made this way cute tutu cake for Madison, and it tasted super yummy also!!!

 

Here is me with our precious birthday girl!

 Singing happy birthday to our princess, oh and notice her way cute shirt that her daddy had made for her!

Now we have a BIG 5 year old!!! They grow up so fast! Madison is one of the sweetest yet meanest, cutest yet brattiest little girls I know, but she is ours and we wouldn't trade her for anything in the world!

Happy 5th Birthday, sweet girl!!!!

A few thoughts...

Our family has been hit with our fair share of trials over the years, we've always gotten through them with our faith, our love in God, and the support of our family. I'm convinced that I'm being punished for my horrible youth, I'm sure that's not the truth and that Heavenly Father has many lessons he wants me to learn, and apparently I'm a slow learner.

I rarely post a blog solely on the topic of either of my kids, I usually keep it to pictures, family outings, or DIY how too's, but not this time. I've always used writing as a way of releasing, letting go of the "bad mojo", just cleansing my soul.

If you're a close friend or family member then you all know Grandon's story and the miracle he truly is to all of us, if you haven't had the chance to read his story, then I encourage you to go read it, here.

Recently, Grandon has been diagnosed with a condition called Anisocoria, is a condition characterized by an unequal size of the pupils. This is something that rarely occurs or pops up in children especially at the age of 6. Once Grandon was diagnosed with this our process of getting an appointment made with a pediatric neurologist started, and not to mention the build up of many emotions and nerves!

After our consultation today with Dr. Seals we are now on a elimination course to figure out the cause of this condition. The good news is that Grandon isn't showing any signs of a brain tumor, hydrocephalus, or aneurysm. Of course without any MRI we can't 100% rule any of those out.

The doctor thinks that he might be suffering from A typical migraines, for the next two weeks he will be on a strict diet intake, and we will have to document everything he eats, every times he gets a headache, he can't have certain foods or drinks. We will then go back in 2 weeks to see if this shows any improvements, if it doesn't then we will move onto step 2.

Our emotions have been so high, and this helps calm the nerves a bit, but I guess the mom part of me wanted/wants a more black and white answer. Waiting has always killed me, but when it's your baby it's harder. I'm not sure what step 2 will involve if we have to move onto step 2, but part of me wants an MRI done like tomorrow, I just want that here is the pictures of his brain there is nothing there.

I know Heavenly Father has a plan for Grandon, me and my family, I also know that I don't always understand his plan. I just hate that Grandon has to go through yet another medical obstacle in his life, part of me wants to play the whole it's not fair card, scream, cry, throw things, and have a huge fit, but I know I can't break down and I must stay strong for my family.

I'll be even more relieved when this is all said and done and everything is confirmed that Grandon is 100% healthy.

Tiffany

A place for my kids creations...

I LOVE that my kids are artist in there own rights, but come on moms lets admit it, we get tired of 500 drawings, pictures, notes, creations, and so forth over taking the fridge! 

I was browsing through Pinterest (when am I not?) and found some cute ideas, but not any I was sold on, but it did get the wheels turning, so I researched some more and found a masterpiece board, and I just knew I needed to create my own version of it!

So I started off by taking a trip to Lowe's and purchasing my wood, this piece cost about $5. I gave it a light sanding on the top and then sanded the sides and edges so they would be rounded.

I tend to do most of my crafting indoors, since I live in South Texas it tends to be a little on the hot side outdoors. Next I laid out my cut vinyl to give myself and idea of how everything was fitting. Which if you don't own a vinyl cutter (like me) you can go to this amazing little shop called Little Treasures and buy it from her.

 After getting my lay out done, I chose my paint color. My all time favorite color is yellow, I'm currently slowly in the processes of re-doing my living room, and let me stress the S.L.O.W.L.Y. part!

Since, I chose a bright color it required more coats of paint then a darker color would of, this is roughly 5-6 coats of paint, and I painted it on pretty thick. I got this color at Hobby Lobby it took the whole bottle, but it only cost $0.69.

Once my board was painted and dried it was time for putting the vinyl on, my husband did this part, he is very anal about spacing, positioning, and etc. (I personally think he just likes stickers, but don't tell him I said that)

Once, he got out of the way, I put two coats of Mod Podge on top, for a few reasons, one it seals the paint and the vinyl, two it protects the board a little more, and three it makes the board easier to clean, if when something got gets on it.

I bought these cool clips at Wal-Mart they came 2 to a package, for the whooping price of $1.88, they are perfect, because they don't have the magnets on the back, but still have the holes that go all the way through at the top. I chose a total of 4 clips so each of my kids would have 2 clips. My husband used his drill to screw these in and it worked perfectly.

We added a hanger to the back of the board and hung it up, I had the perfect stop in our hallway for it.

 And my kids, have already put it to good use, and I now have my fridge back, I really loved the way it turned out!

This craft was so easy to do and really inexpensive, the total cost came out to be about $13, not to bad for crafting on a budget!

 

Happy Crafting!

Tiffany

Initial Wreath

Who doesn't love a personalized "something" for there front door. My front door was looking pretty sad, since it had nothing hanging on it. When I first saw a post about a personalized wreath I knew it was going to be a midnight craft! We put our spin on it and LOVE how it turned out!

We first started out with a 14" natural vine wreath from Hobby Lobby, like the one pictured below:

 

Then I picked out some vines, flowers, and Ribbon to accent my wreath and match my decor if your front door can have decor , I really wanted my wreath to flow with the decor of my entry way.

 

 I love these vines that I got from Hobby Lobby, they are so pretty and different! 

 After Mod Podging my scrapbook paper onto my 

initial I tied some matching ribbon around my letter, made a little family plaque and hung it up on my front door!

 

I'm now in love with how my front door looks and the way this wreath came out!

Keep Crafting!
Tiffany

Family Pictures

Each year for the past few years my mother has paid for family pictures, the past two years we've used Delightful Dimples . The owner Britni Call is in our ward, and I highly recommend her if your in the New Braunfels/Gilmer area, because I personally think she is just GREAT!!! But I'll let our pictures speak for themselves!!!

 

Grandon Pictures

 A friend of ours from church has his own photography studio and did back to school pictures for Grandon! I thought I would share them all with you, if you see one you would like a print of please tell me which picture and size. Check out David Campos at saveamemory.com!

Back to school!!!

The school routine has been a fairly common one for our family, since Grandon has been in pre-K since he was 3, but some how that isn't quit the same as KINDERGARTEN!!! Yesterday was the mark of a new chapter in his little life, and for mommy as well. I was full of all kinds of emotions, so was Grandon, after a rough start that morning (not liking having to get up while it's still dark out, plus he had a rough night) we got out the door, and to school, good thing for us it's only a 2 min drive. 


Lucky, for me I still have Madison home for another 5 days before she starts pre-K4. Her being there to experience Grandon's first day of school, really helped her out, plus it helped keep this mommy in check with her emotions, I'm a firm believer in upholding a strong front for my kids, and then losing it at night in Clayton's arm. I'm the one those kids count on, rely on, and I need them to know that mommy will always be strong for them. Plus if Grandon saw me lose it, then, he would and it would of been a HUGE mess!!!

 Cheesy Grin

 Still cheesy!!

 One for the books

With his teacher

Can't forget one with sister

Saying goodbye, nope not goodbye...see you later!!!

He looks so big and grown up! His teacher is super nice, and we look forward to a year with Mrs. Dominguez!