Adventures in Parenting

No rest for the weary.

Disclaimer:  I dream of a quiet room all alone with a cup of hot chocolate where I can sit looking at beautiful scenery as I write really important blogs and pour my heart and soul out without time constriction.  However, like I said, that is a dream.  Currently, I am at home with all three kids.  I'm in between loads of laundry and listening for the oven timer to go off.  There is a lot of hollering behind me.  It varies between Carter and Paige tattling on one another and fighting with an occasional yell from Easton because his sister is sitting on him, stealing his stuff or knocking him over.  Accidentally, of course.  Regardless of my current situation I wanted to update everyone on Easy E.


Adventures in Parenting.  That's what I am calling it.  This week was a tough one.  Easton had four appointments this week and I had to work three days.  We just got home from our final appointment and I couldn't be happier this week is over.   The first one was the MRI.  His neurologist had requested it months ago but I had put it off because I didn't feel it was necessary.  Easton was developmentally behind but I wanted to give him a chance to catch up without having to put him under anesthesia because I didn't think he was stable enough.  However, recently Easton has been showing significant weakness on his left side.  He sort of drags his left leg behind when crawling and tucks his left arm.  This was enough for me to agree to do the test.  The day of was dreadful.  You have to starve the poor baby and then to make matters worse- they were running behind by two hours!  They put him under general anesthesia because of his history and age and Matt and I paced the halls of the hospital during the test.  There are somethings you can't just sit in a chair for!  Easton was awesome.  He did absolutely great and had no complications!  Next came the waiting.  The results were supposed to be in on Wednesday and were not.  As the hours dragged on I was beside myself.  I would rise to the occasion no matter what Easton has but I was having a difficult time with some of the possibilities.  During this time I was having terrible headaches and the most annoying, constant eye twitch.  I had myself so worked up I thought I was going to be on the MRI table next!  Yesterday, the results came in and were... NORMAL!  His neurologist will look at the results himself but initial findings were normal so I'm going with that.  Amen!  Crossed another hurdle.  We still will need to investigate and find the cause as to what is causing this issue but at least we know its not his brain.  I'm so happy.  Next up was his Opthamologist appointment. Babies that were ventilated can have damaged eyes so we had to make sure he was good.... and he was! Wednesday was a weight check (which he lost) and his RSV prevention shots which is now divided into two pokes.  Awesome.  After the shots we had to head to physical therapy where we now have a weekly 10:15 date.  Easton HATED it.  Wow.  He was so mad that we could only stay for half the session.  Its unclear to me if it hurts or he is just frustrated because its hard.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with him being forced to do something he doesn't want to.  No way.  Today was our last appointment.  It was his Pulmonology appointment.  Funny how last time around I was scared to go to this one and now I'm scared of everything but this!  He is doing well.  Still has mainly the same condition but his maintenance plan seems to be working.  We increased his reflux med and switched him to an inhaler from the nebulizer to make life easier... Yay!  I just love when people realize that easy is what I need in life!  All in all- this week was good.  It was hard to get through and very trying but its over, everyone survived and my eye stopped twitching.  We had a lot of positive news this week and I am feeling refreshed.  Parting words from his lung doctor as I am walking out the door:  "We will get him doing better all the time,  hang in there."  I'm diggin' this chick!

He's going to Kindergarten:(

TROUBLE

Bro's

Holy Hair!

February has been insanely busy for the Clark family.  Our calendar is literally packed almost every day. We are busy trying to lock down a date and venue for an awesome charity dinner we are planning.  I will be posting the details and I hope you can all come help to raise some money and celebrate our miracle!


Matt has been busy redecorating our main floor.  Yep, Matt.  Carter is kicking some major booty at basketball.  This kid is a dribbling machine and even trying some sweet tricks rolling the ball over his back and shoulders.  Paige is Paige.  The girl is a gem.  Matt and I were just talking about how much she brings to our world.  She is the funniest child in the world.  She is so sassy and finds her greatest pleasure in antagonizing he older brother.  She is full of it at all times and I love her so much I can't take it.  Her newest stunt is refusing to wear pull ups to bed.  She claims she is a big girl and states with 100% confidence that she won't pee the bed.  Matt seems to believe her and lets her go to bed in big girl pants.  I'll let you all guess where that takes us at 3am.  God love her for trying:)


NICU Mom's.  Yeah, its kinda like a sick club we are in.  Others may even think we speak another language:)  It's all good.

Normal Chaos

Serious Business

Here's to hoping we get continued good news with very few setbacks!  Have a great weekend!

Ebb and Flow

Ebb and flow:  a decline and increase, constant fluctuations.

Yup, that sums up our life.  I’ve been trying to figure out how to explain what this crazy whirlwind life feels like.  There are ups, there are downs, but fortunately there always IS.  Something is always happening, changing, shifting…  Dude, it’s the ebb and flow.  Its how we operate.  How we exist.  How life just happens.  Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster and sometimes its smooth sailing.  In the end, I will strive to remain grateful for the fact that I’m here to experience it all.

We are figuring it out.  We, meaning Matt and I.  For the last few months we have been just trying to “wing it.”  We aren’t the biggest planners in the world.  We plan the big stuff but the day to day we were just trying to go with it.  Guess what?  It wasn’t going.  Nothing was getting accomplished.  At the end of the day we would realize that we may have survived the chaos but nothing really happened.  It was time for some action.  We got out the calendars and started planning everything out.  We have our workout days planned, we know who is cooking dinner on which day, every appointment for our kids is scheduled and we know who is taking care of which one.  It feels good.  I never thought I would like to have to check a calendar to see how my day would pan out but I have to admit that a little bit of structure and predictability after the year we have had- feels fabulous!  Obviously things run off course and things get bumped but overall we are trying to stick to the plan.  We shall see how long it lasts;)  You know that saying:  We may not have it all together; but together we have it all.  That’s us.  We’re the best team and I sure am glad he picked me.

I recently read a really great blog from the Huffington Post.  It was a woman telling it like it is.  She was talking about people expecting you to enjoy every moment of raising kids because they grow too quickly.  It was the best blog that I’ve ever read because there is nothing I like more than honesty in parenting.   I’m not sure why some people are not honest when it comes to this subject.  It’s hard.  I don’t care who you are or how many kids you have- at some point it has been hard.  My opinion is that we as parents should band together and talk each other through it.  We need to make each other feel less alone.  Let’s discuss the fact that my daughter drew with Chap Stick all over my car window on the way to school today.  Or about the fact that my 8 month old refuses to sleep through the night more than two days in a row.  Or possibly that my oldest son had a complete and total meltdown for over 20 minutes because I told him he couldn’t have chicken for dinner for the 107^th day in a row.  This all happened in the last 18 hours.  I mean, I cannot be the only one living this “dream.”  Yes, I love my kids.  Yes, I would give up everything in the world for them.  Yes, I feel blessed to have them.  Yes, every decision I make from the day they were born until the day I die revolves around how it affects their life.  All that said- it doesn’t change the fact that I would do just about anything for a few days on the beach somewhere tropical while they are home in a Grandparents care.  Does that make me a bad Mom?   Does that mean I don’t count my blessings daily?  Absolutely not.  It makes me human.  It makes me honest.  I do my best.  At the end of the day that’s what I have to live with.  My kids are happy, my husband is happy and so am I.  Ebb and flow… keepin’ it real.

No surprises

Such a sick baby:(

Nothing surprises me anymore.  I mean that in all seriousness.  It is extremely hard to hit the real shock level with me these days. Having said that- it was absolutely no surprise to me that the first moment I knew Easton needed to be hospitalized was at 2am on Christmas morning.  You know- about 4 hours before Carter and Paige would wake up to find what Santa brought them.  His timing is amazing.  Always has been and I’m sure it always will be.  Poor little guy just couldn’t breathe.  His breathing is always a little off, not quite normal, but this was extreme even for him.  Instead of rushing off to the ER, I sat up with him and gave him breathing treatments and suctioned his nose in an attempt to help him or at least buy myself a little time.  By the grace of God, or my outstanding medically healing touch, which I am doubting- it worked.  I was able to get him calm, his breathing under control and him back to sleep.  By morning and during Christmas day he seemed to be doing better so I decided I would wait and have him seen by the doctor the next morning.  On the morning of the 26^th, Matt called the doctor only to find out they were closed.  Outstanding.  Why in the world wouldn’t they be closed when my son cant breathe?  Ugh!  I asked Matt if I should just take him to ER and we both agreed we should try to manage his care at home if possible because the ER is complicated for Easton for a few reasons.  For starters, the exposure to all the illnesses alone freaks me out.  He has a crappy immune system and the last place he needs to be is in a hospital waiting room.  Second and most important is the issue with his lungs.  We knew they would do a chest Xray and we also knew that they would all freak out and immediately decide he has pneumonia even if he didn’t.  His Xrays always look bad so we needed someone to read them who knows what his “normal” is.  Regardless, we were able to make it through another day at home.  In hindsight, I don’t know if that was the best call on our part but I have to live with the fact that I really weighed the options and felt I made the best call.  Cut to the morning of the 27^th.  Now I am officially the psycho Mom who showed up without an appointment to the doctors office with a shaky voice and tears in my eyes claiming that my baby cant breathe.  Wow.  That had to be a sight.  I’m usually better than that but this had been going on way too long because of the holidays.  Fortunately, we were taken back immediately and he was put on a pulse ox.  For those of you that know what that means- his SATS were at 81.  My heart sank.  I knew we were not in good shape.  He was given steroids and a double breathing treatment in an attempt to stabilize him before sending him to the hospital.  Its never a good sign when you aren’t stable enough to leave the office!  The treatments worked and he was stable enough to head out.  Once we were admitted into Hurley’s pediatric unit we were greeted by a doctor who had just spoken with his primary physician and was there to assess whether he could have a room on the main floor or if he needed to be admitted to ICU.  Seriously?  I nearly hit the floor.  Thankfully he seemed stable for the time being and stayed on the regular floor.  In fact he was super happy and giddy all afternoon as a result of the steroids.  At 7:00pm Matt decided to leave and go take our other kids home for the night.  Easton seemed good so I was fine with being alone.  In true Easton fashion- everything went nuts as soon as we were alone.  By 7:30 he was on oxygen and having back to back STAT breathing treatments.  He was wheezing so bad even after so many treatments that he was almost moved to the ICU.  Why he needed to wait until his Dad left to act up- I’ll never know!  He ended up testing positive for RSV.  This is a nasty virus that can be extremely dangerous for preemies and children with chronic lung disease.  For this reason they offer a monthly immunization for those who qualify.  Easton was denied and we have been fighting since October to get it.  Insurance didn’t want to pay for the shots but in turn now get to pay for 4 days in the hospital.  Its beyond frustrating and this rant could go on and on but it wont because its exhausting.  One week after discharge- Ins approved the shots.  Gee, thanks.  Once again, not surprising.  The bottom line is this.  Easton got better and came home just before the new year.  We had a little chat with Mr. E and let him know that he needed to pull it together and be discharged before Jan 1.  We are counting on 2012 being a better year and ringing it in at Hurley Medical Center did not seem like a great start.  Easy listened to him parents and was discharged on December 30^th- just in the nick of time!  Thanks, pal! 

ANOTHER breathing treatment!

Get me outta here!

We went to a check up about a week after discharge only to find out that he lost nearly a pound.  He looked terrible.  He was taking 8 vials of medication through the nebulizer a day and still wheezing although he was improved.  I left that appointment feeling a little desperate because his weight is so important to his overall recovery.  I mean, how are we supposed to grow new lung tissue if we are losing weight?!  It sometimes feels like a never ending battle.  With no other choice, we went back home and kept on keeping on.

Bubble Boy.  Kidding...Kinda.

Cut to yesterday:  Yesterday was yet another check up.  Guess what?  This one rocked.  Per usual Easton, this kid rallied.  He not only gained almost a whole pound in a week, but he gets to wean his breathing treatments to twice a day!  He looks strong, acts strong and blew his doctor away.  She is shocked that he was able to recovery as quickly as possible.  He may have fell really hard into this illness but its says so much for his health that he came out of it so well.  Sure, he had to be hospitalized when most kids wouldn't have but when his body needed to get up and fight- it did.  He is the best I have seen him and I’m beside myself.  We actually don’t have to go back to the doctor for 3 weeks.  That has never happened.  It was the first appointment I have left with a smile on my face.  I’m proud of him.  He is so strong.  His life has been tough and we don’t really get a whole lot of positive news very often.  Yesterday’s appointment felt normal.  No complaints.  No new things to try.  Just coasting for three whole weeks.  It feels good.  I could get used to this.  The journey with Easton is different than the journey with Paige and Carter.  Its more heart wrenching, more stressful, more work but worth it all with every smile he gives.  He is a great sport and I’m so glad he is mine!

Twas the night before Christmas

Love their Mimi

In other news, Carter and Paige had a great Christmas.  They were tearing through Christmas presents for three days with all the different festivities we had going on.  They never tire of opening a present.  They used their manners and made Mama proud.  I love how exciting the holidays are for them.  The magic of the season is so real to them.  They literally had the best time and love all of their new goodies. 

Ready for Dance!

Carter has basketball starting up next week and Paige is back in dance.  We are trying to stay busy during this weird winter we are having and keep the kids active.  Matt and I have been trying out different gyms in an attempt to motivate to get ourselves back in shape.  If I am going to be a mini van driving,Mom of three- I better look good doing it!  Let’s hope I can find enough energy to hit the gym a few times a week instead of my normal once a month;)

Life is busy and full but its good.  Until next time….

Mama and her Babes.

The end of 2011...

Time sure does fly.  Sometimes.  Sometimes it actually seems to stand still.  However, most of the time- it flies.  This year has been rocky but its also been awesome.  Our family is complete.  I have been pregnant or had a baby every year for the past 5 years.  As exciting as that is, its also a little exhausting.  I'm really looking forward to moving ahead.  Watching my children grow and change as I do the same.  Life with three kids under five is crazy but its also a dream come true.  It is what I have wanted my entire life.  I've learned to accept and expect the craziness but to also find the time to stop and laugh at the chaos.  There is no way around the chaos.  I don't care how organized you are- its a crazy life.  And its fun.  And super rewarding.  There are not a ton of things that I can say I am really good at but I do think that I've found my way as a Mother.  If I am not good at anything else for the rest of my life its OK because I have confidence that I am succeeding at the most important thing I will ever do.  I think I am raising secure children that are learning right from wrong, beginning to understand values all while absorbing all the love that we as a family share.   The future looks bright.

The Best Gift Ever.

An Easton update:  Finally, we have a great team of doctors looking after our sweet boy.  We have a new great pediatrician that is leading us in the right direction.  We have had Easton evaluated by a Neurologist and Pulmonologist.  He has an MRI and an evaluation for physical therapy scheduled for the first week of January.  The main concerns now are the fact that he has Chronic Lung Disease, a floppy airway and is really struggling to gain weight as a result of the effort his body has to make to breathe.  He is in good hands with the physicians and has parents that have a close eye on him at all times.  We feel confident that in three or four years he can make a full recovery.  I'm expecting bumps in the roads and am as prepared as I can be for any setbacks.  I vowed to walk this journey with him and that is my full intention.  Whatever it takes- I'm right there holding his hand.  He has changed my life on so many levels and I will never forget how blessed I am to have him in my home and not just in my heart.  

Gingerbread house 2011

Christmas is right around the corner and I sure have some excited kids in this house!  Our elf "Pete" could not create more excitement even if he tried.  These kids barely have their eyes open as they come barreling down the stairs to see where he is watching from each day.  We have done our share of festivities this year.  So far we have made gingerbread houses, baked cookies, had school programs and even had brunch with Santa.  I love the magic of Christmas.  It is especially fun to watch Carter.  He is beyond excited.  He is trying to figure it all out.  He knows there are some glitches in the stories but he is still fascinated by the whole idea.  There have been more questions this year.  For example:  How does Santa get into our house if there is glass on our fireplace?  Why don't I ever see the reindeer tracks?  How does Pete fly in and out of our house?  We answer the best we can and then when we run out answers we confess that we really don't know all the answers...because its magic!  

Cookie Baking with Patty

My Christmas Crazies

And now for the big news...  My journey to the Mini Van.  Some people don't care what they drive.  Some people do.  I happen to care.  A lot.  I care so much that I switch cars like some people switch their clothes.  OK, maybe that's an exaggeration... but not by much.  I am very fortunate.  My parents always provided me with very nice cars and ever since I have bought my own- I have been able to do the same. I like nice things.  While I was pregnant and in bed with Easton, I bought my last car.  Literally, from my bed.  Never left the house.  Found it online and had it delivered.  (Yes, this is an option!)  Maybe I was bored, maybe I was crazy.  Possibly both.  Anyways, I bought a Yukon Denali because I was having a third kid and needed more room and of course, more luxury;).  What I got was a bigger car with no more room.  It is sort of like driving a big box down the road with a lot of wasted space.  It does not suit my needs of multiple strollers, bags, groceries, junk, etc that I need in my car at all times.  Its so big and I am so short that its the most inconvenient car for me to have.  My kids have to climb in and get themselves filthy daily and then nine times out of ten they clumsily fall out of the car while insisting on exiting by themselves.  Its no treat heaving Easton's car seat in and out either.  Overall, this car is a fail in all areas except that it looks cool.  So this brings me to the mini van.  This big box that I drive down the road has decided to give me lots of trouble the last few weeks leading me to a rental car of a mini van!  Those 4 days were so easy transporting the kids around that I got right on the phone figuring out how to get myself one of those bad boys!  My life is chaotic and if there is one tiny thing can make it a little easier- I'm game!  Sounds like a no brainer, right?  Wrong.  Something was standing in my way.  That's right, my ego!  Not to sound crazy but I must be honest.  Everything made perfect sense about this van EXCEPT that I couldn't bring myself to drive it.  I have literally gone back and forth for over a week about this trivial, meaningless subject of transportation.  The more I thought about it, the more mad I got that I was going to inconvenience myself because I was too cool for a van.  Oh, no!  Not this time.  I decided that I'm stepping up and kicking my ego aside.  I'm not only buying the van today.  I am gonna rock that van and I am going to revel in the convenience it brings my life.  I am now a mini van driving, mother of three.  And I couldn't be happier about it!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I hope the holidays are relaxing, safe and thrilling for you all!

Rolling with it...

I am becoming the worst blogger in the world.  It's a shame too because I really like it but I am having the most difficult time finding a few minutes to sit down and let my fingers fly!  Something is happening with the Clark's this year.  I don't want to call it the "Clark Curse" because we did get a sweet baby boy this year and I would also like to think its just a coincidence that everything is so crazy right now and not actually a curse.  I'm not sure if we are being tested or what but we are trying to just roll with it.  Allow me to share a few things that have been going on and hopefully shed a little light on the reason I can't blog!


It all started January 15, 2011 when I got put on bed rest FIVE months before my due date!  This was a challenge but we rolled with it.  We figured it out and had a pretty good attitude about it.  It was the price to pay to have a healthy baby.  Hmmm, obviously it wasn't a guarantee but once again, we rose to the occasion.  We stood up and fought for our boy.  We survived.  Actually, I think we more than survived- we were courageous and walked through the fear while being as optimistic as possible.  Not an easy task.  These days Easton is a smiley, sweet, loving little angel that I couldn't love more if I tried.  I cannot explain how I feel about him other than to say that he is part of me.  He is fairly healthy.  He looks great, has a good disposition but he struggles.  Its so hard to watch.  I know that things could be much worse but it still worries me night and day.  I finally switched pediatricians and got somebody to actually take a look at him.  She is lovely and she agrees that we have some issues that need to be addressed.  Currently I spend all of my time (that I am not at work and chasing my other two kids) running Easton to appointments.  In the last week and in the weeks to come he has a ton of things going on.  He is seeing a neurologist, has been referred to a pulmonologist at U of M, will begin physical therapy, just had some blood work done to try and rule things out and will be having more frequent appointments to monitor his growth.  Things are complicated.  Its hard to find the time to fit these appointments in, work, spend time with the other kids, spend time with my husband, take care of my house, and Christmas shop!  I'll figure it out but its kicking my butt!  Let me add a few details of the last week...  Flying home from Florida over Thanksgiving we had the pleasure of having our flight delayed.  While on board we were notified that  a computer broke so we got to make an unexpected landing in Atlanta so they could install a new computer WITHOUT letting us off the plane.  Normally not a huge deal but with all three kids on board, it wasn't exactly thrilling.  Another issue is my garage door.  Its broke.  Shouldn't be a big deal but it is!  We called to have it fixed.  They don't have the part.  Apparently they aren't too accurate on the estimated arrival of the part since its been two weeks and they said two days.  The first day this happened, I was trapped in my garage with all kids buckled in their seats.  Had to call my Dad.  Had a mishap- scratched the top of my car.  Blah, blah, blah, we solve the problem and its fine.  We move on...an hour later.  Each day and night, Matt has to manually open and close the door.  Today was awesome.  The door is open so I begin backing out.  As I do this the door slams down on the back of my car and scared the bejesus out of me and my kids.  I have to get out and lift the entire weight of the door.  Its only like a million pounds.  I don't know how I did it but I found some crazy hercules strength and opened that door....only to have it slam down again because I am not tall enough to get it all the way up.  Shocker.  Not to worry because I am resourceful and found a piece of trim to prop that bad boy up.  Mission accomplished.  I rolled with it and I only swore once.  Pretty impressive if you ask me.  Oh, wait there is more.  Maybe I should tell you where I was going when all this went down at 8am.  I was trying to drop my kids off at school so I could drop my car off at the dealership. That's right, my car is broke too.  My car has decided that if will only start when it feels like it.  Very random and with no rhyme or reason.  Its pretty fun and not at all scary to go anywhere never knowing if I will actually make it back home.  Yesterday I had the pleasure of calling roadside assistance to jump start my car out of my own garage only making me an hour and a half late for work.  Are you getting the picture?  What in the world is going on here?  Its one thing after another.  Its getting more annoying every day. There is so much more but just thinking about all the mishaps is exhausting me!  Sometimes I just laugh, sometimes I want to cry because everything just seems hard but at the end of the day- I just roll with it.  Or try to.  I have to wrap up because I must sleep before my kids wake up at 5AM- nope, not kidding!  Tomorrow is an exciting day of chasing and gathering chest x-ray films around Genesee County  to take to next weeks appointments


On a positive note my house is decorated for Christmas!  Both Christmas trees are up and the outside of my house is lit up as if Clark W. did it himself.

Crazy Paigey decided to wear "undawares" and is fully potty trained... most of the time.

This girl is crazy.

Carter learned to snap his fingers after months of trying.

Mr. Dreamy

Easton continues to blow me away with sweetness.

Happy Boy

It's crazy around here but things could be worse.  That said, we are so looking forward to 2012!  


Happy Holidays!

Pay it Forward

5 months, baby!

Thursday night was a great night for the Clark family.  We were able to be a part of a benefit that the Hurley Foundation put on.  I worked really hard at raising funds and encouraging my family and friends to attend and it paid off.  I'm impressed with the number that I am personally responsible for raising and it makes my heart feel good.  Two days prior to this event, I received a phone call asking if I would do the welcome speech and host the evening.  My first thought, even though I am not a public speaker, (and after the typical "What will I wear?",) was of course.  The first thing I did after that phone call was write the speech.  The second was drive to Somerset.  Pretty typical.  I was actually nervous leading up to the night but once it arrived I just told myself that this is all for my boy and the nerves just left me entirely.  I can do anything on his behalf.  Let's be honest- after what he has already put me through, everything else is pretty much cake;)  There was about 160 people there and 5 out of the 6 NICU doctors were in attendance because someone had to stay with all the babies!  It was so nice to see them all and I had the opportunity to publicly thank them.  I will probably continue to thank them every time I see them for the rest of my life.  I just want to make sure they get the point!  In all seriousness, its still not enough.  I remember thinking that if God and these doctors could save my baby, that I would spend the rest of my life trying to pay it forward.  This benefit was my first attempt.  Nothing seems like enough.  I can't stop these babies from getting sick, I can't heal them once they do become sick, I feel helpless.  The only thing I can do is to try and contribute to the needs of those who work in the NICU so that they can continue to do their job.  I am so lucky to have the family I have.  Everyone has rallied for us in the biggest way possible and they still feel like they want to give back as well on behalf of their grandson and nephew.  We have come up with a tentative idea of how we feel we can do our part.  We are planning on doing something annually in Easton's name to raise money for the needs of Hurley's NICU.  I will talk to the doctors and nurses and find out what the need is for that year and we will set a goal and try our hardest to reach it.  We are creative people and I know we can come up with fun events that people will actually look forward to attending.  I would love to do this each year around Easton's birthday or discharge date to celebrate.  You never know when you may need the assistance of the NICU.  I spent a week there 30 years ago, my nephew Jagger spent only two days there in March but it was still totally necessary and then they saved Easy's life in May and June.  Its time this family gives back and that is what we intend to do.  I hope that each person that reads this blog will help us to celebrate and raise funds in the years to come!

 A little Easton update for the Team Easton fan club:
Easton is still keeping us on our toes at all times.  He really is super smiley and sweet.  He does know what he likes and doesn't like and has no problem whatsoever in letting us all know.  Matt and I had been feeling like Easton is a little delayed in his development for quite some time now.  He just doesn't seem to have much strength and does not act like a 5 month old.  This isn't too surprising considering he was 4 weeks early and then the next 4 weeks he couldn't even move!  I decided to be proactive and had him evaluated by Early On.  They came out and spent some time with him and agreed that he is a bit behind in his gross motor skills.  They were very helpful in giving us the insight on how to help him build strength and set goals for him to reach.  Easton is very busy practicing his stuff so he gets great marks and new goals in November!  


Easton also has been sick the past week.  It started with an ear infection and a sinus infection.  Next thing we know he has a terrible cough and is wheezing.  He started breathing treatments and a new antibiotic.  Several days later he doesn't seem any better.  Chest X-ray showed some fluid in his lungs so we switch his medication again.  It's unclear if it is pneumonia or if he is starting to have some issues with Asthma.  Its all complicated to me but the bottom line is he has been under the weather and if you want to say a little prayer for him- we'd love it:)


Busy week ahead.  I am telling you there is NEVER a dull moment.  We are having family pictures tomorrow which I'm sure will be so eventful that I could write a whole post on that experience.  I'm sweating just thinking about this...  It's gonna be intense.


I'm looking forward to Halloween so I can eat all my kids candy dress the kids up!  This year we will have a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, the cutest little Piggy you will ever see and a Monkey!

#1, #2 and #3

So Stinkin' Cute

God's Presence

I was asked by our Pastor to write a 600 word essay for the Advent Devotional Book about a time when I felt God's presence.  I think we all know when that was.  Here is the essay:

My third son, Easton Edward Clark, was born on May 18, 2011.  Shortly after he was born, he had difficulty breathing and was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  We had no idea how that admission would change our lives forever.  Easton’s condition rapidly deteriorated within 48 hours.  He went from a non critical diagnosis of “wet lungs” to a life threatening condition overnight.  He had Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns (PPHN.)  This condition is not very common- only about 1 in 1,000 and has a high mortality rate.  My little boy looked more like a science experiment than a newborn baby.  He had IV’s, central lines, a feeding tube, was on a ventilator, had a chest tube, a pic line, and other monitors all in an attempt to save his little life.  His six pound body looked lifeless as his Dad and I stood vigil next to his incubator.  Looking at him, I knew there was no way he could recover from the severity of his illness.  Each day the results of his tests got worse and my hope dwindled.  I even started thinking of funeral homes and what I would bury him in.  The absolute worse thoughts you can have as a mother. The doctors were doing their best but told us we needed to pray.  These highly skilled doctors were humble enough to tell us that his fate wasn’t in their hands but in God’s hands.  And pray we did.  My first call was to Pastor Jeremy to help us.  We were desperate and I felt we needed a closer connection to God.  He graciously came to pray with us at Easton’s bedside.  It was in that moment that I first felt like God was watching.  The air in the room felt a little lighter.  In that brief moment of a glimmer of hope, I took that opportunity to change my action.  Instead of planning a funeral, I talked to God. All day.  I stood by the window and looked at the sky and prayed for my baby.  I stood next to the incubator looking at a baby I wasn’t able to touch and prayed for my baby.  In the next couple of weeks when we would almost lose him and were forced to helplessly stand by and watch doctors work so hard on him, I prayed for my baby.  I prayed for God to guide the doctors in the right direction and to give everyone the skills to take care of him. I even begged God to save my baby.  These days were dark.  They were paralyzing but I know in my heart that when I spoke to God,  he heard me.  The air would again get lighter.  I could feel him and I knew I needed to keep talking. We reached out to everyone we knew and asked for prayers for our son and guess what?  God proved he was with us and started answering them. Blood tests would improve, the ventilation settings were lowered, he was even allowed to wake up.  There were so many setbacks and bumps in the road but I know how sick Easton was and I also know that the only reason that baby is alive today is because God saved him.  He was on the brink of death too many times to end up perfectly well without some kind of divine intervention.  We thank you God, for hearing our prayers.

We are so grateful to have Easton in our family and we will do everything in our power as parents to care for him and help him to lead a purposeful life.  He will always know the meaning of gratitude and the importance of God everlasting.