Thankful: Day 2

I am Thankful: Day 2: Brady

I am thankful that God continues to show me HE is in control.  Today, Creek View Elementary had their boosterthon FunRun.  The students were expected to run between 25-35 laps.  Brady can run....however, it's not exactly a "Chariots of Fire" glorious run.....and I worried if he could last and keep up for 25 laps!!! 

And let me add, Brady doesn't like to sweat!

With this being said, there was to be a LOT of kiddos running at their allotted time...including Hayden....who has NO problem running.

Well, Brady showed me  (and Mama T!!!!!!!!) that he is just fine!  He ran 39 laps...just like Hayden....without missing a beat!  Once again, me in my human form, limited my child....and expectations for him.  I should set the same expectations for him as I do for my other five year old. 

Thank you God for taking Brady past MY limitations.......and proving he is going to be just fine!  Thank you Brady for being you and pushing!

Thankful: Day 1

As I am completely overwhelmed with my life, I am going to make it a start to each day post something on my blog.  With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I thought, how appropriate....each day I want to focus on God's work in my life......and thank him for something every single day.

Thankful: Day 1: Hayden Christopher Craycraft

Hayden being the most "spririted" of our three children, often gets the short end of things.  He is the middle child (if you consider a middle child with twins) and is our leader, our loud one, our do-er, our get into everything, our test the limits, well you get the point.  With that being said, he can totally drive both Tony and myself, INSANE and with that, is the one that gets in trouble the most.

Hayden is also my child that can completely surprise you!  (He is a Tucker....in every detail....I am Stephanie Tucker Craycraft....I am a Tucker.....my Dad (aka Papa T) is a Tucker.  When I say a "Tucker"...well, we are bull headed, strong, independent, set in our ways...well once again...you get the picture....if you need help on this, I'm sure Tony would be glad to elaborate!)

This morning was extra rushed....as in doing our morning routine for getting ready, I was out of milk...so this means an added stop....McDonald's for breakfast for the boys.  And I was also feverishly preparing things for Tony to get the boys ready as we have family pics this afternoon......the boys, all four, will meet me at our photo place after I complete work....Dear God, please grant my Husband patience in getting the boys dressed, getting them to the destination, and in everybody smiling......so all clothes, hairbrush, toothbrushes, shoes, socks are in their place for Tony. 

We all made it to the van in one piece and ready to go for the morning!

We make our way to McDonalds and through the drive thru.  We pull into a parking space, as I always ask someone to unbuckle and be my helper in passing out everything....I haven't quite figured out how to become elastic woman so I can do this all by myself!  Hayden, always eager, jumped at the chance.  So we pass out the milk and I separate the hotcakes into three individual hotcakes.....which always leads to an issue.  Who gets the hotcake served in the syrofoam container, who gets it served in the top to the container, and who gets stuck with the napkin as their plate!!!!  No one likes the napkin!!!!!

Cooper got the bottom.  I then placed Brady's on the napkin and handed to Hayden to give to Brady...as I eagerly awaited the whines of Brady.....Hayden looks me dead in the eyes and says, that one's mine....give Brady the one in the top.  He never missed a beat.......sat his hotcake in his booster and handed Brady the other one.

I know this is a little thing....but it's those little things on a big stressful morning, that let me know....my kids are going to be okay.....Hayden I am THANKFUL FOR YOU, I am THANKFUL for you loving your brothers!!!!!

Free at last, thank God I'm free at last....

..................our household is FINALLY stomach bug free!!! After all three boys have been sick and then I got sick, it appears we are over it!!!! Thank goodness........I did not realize one house could produce so much vomit...sorry, not trying to be gross...

And the award goes to....

.......ME, for this year's "World's Worst Blogger"!

Once again, my lack of commitment has caused my blog to fall WAY behind. I am realizing now that the twins are in pre-school and are losing their toddler look (very sad for Mommy) that time is fast passing by and I have GOT to start taking more pics and blogging.

First, let me rewind to last weekend, Oct 2, the Alabama NF Walk in Oxford, Alabama. Team Brady's Brigade was successful in raising over $6000!!!!!!!!!! GOD IS SO GOOD....we originally started out with a goal of $1000.....................AMAZING to see His work!!!!! The entire walk, this was the first one for Alabama, had a goal of $10,000...........we exceeded it and raised over $12,000!!!! Here's hoping for success in the cure for NF!

MMIA....

...............Males Missing In Action.......I miss my hubby and my boys.......they were to have returned on Monday, however Tony's grandmother passed away Monday morning. It was a blessing as she is in a better place and not in pain. The funeral is today...I'm glad Tony was still there to be with his family!

The "men" are coming home tomorrow and should be in some time tomorrow evening!!! Can't wait to see them!

(I know it's only been 16 days...but that's really long in "mommy" days!)

Perfect....

........Brady passed all the tests yesterday with flying colors!!! And he did so good at following instructions during the hearing tests...so proud of my little brave man. No hearing loss at all, no enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Only thing, a little allergy issue that the doctor wants us to start treating with Claritin.......so no big deal. They do want to see him annually just to make sure no growths pop up due to the NF.

So we now know that the speech issues are just that, speech!

What do you pray for...

.......today we take Brady to the ENT to have his adenoids, tonsils, tongue and ears checked out. We currently have Brady working with speech therapists for his speech delay and it has been recommended that we have everything checked out. With the NF1, about 50% of children diagnosed with this disorder, comes a speech "issue".....so do we pray that maybe he needs ear tubes which can be causing his artic problems? Do you wish ill on your child? But if we pray for the ENT to find something, it may mean his speech problem is "fixable" and not a direct symptom of the NF1?

Whatever comes our way today, if nothing is found and it is truly another symptom of NF for Brady, at least we will know that we have done what we should have as parents to make sure nothing is missed.

Dear God, whatever we find today, you have already gone before us and laid this path. You will get us through this and onto the next phase!

God is good all the time...

..........wow, can't believe it's March already!!!! And I know this month will fly by.......every weekend has something going on and Tony and the twins leave for WVirginia NEXT FRIDAY!!!! So it will be just me and Coop for 9 days!!!!!!!!

Last purchase...

........well I just purchased my last container of formula!!!! I will be glad to not have to mix any more sippy cups of formula and not to have to spend the money too!!!! The formula size we get always last a month, and with Cooper turning one on April1 we will be set til then................hard to believe the last container...ever!!!!!!!!

Long time, no see....

.............WOW, it's been a while since I've been on my blog. After forwarding my blog to someone, I realized just how out of date I am!!!

A quick catchup, Brady had his eye exam.....no nodules, no nothing....so no conclusion to say "yes" he has NF1.

Brady had his MRI, and God love him, he did wonderful.....was fully sedated, and had no reactions, the MRI showed absolutely nothing....they also drew the bloodwork for the NF1 genetic test.........we waited for weeks, and finally got the results.....the test was positive as we had suspected.

We went in January for his follow up appointment......everything is perfect, no signs or concerns....we are working on the speech delay with speech therapists.....doctor thought was was good but didn't think his language is as bad as we think just that we have his twin to compare him against. We go back in July, this will be an every 6 month ordeal.

Other than that, Brady is wonderful!!! His speech is coming along great.........he's still not at the level of Hayden, but most 3 year olds are at the level of Hayden!