Just keep swimming...

We have survived another weekend and despite the news we received on Friday, the weekend was really great.  I try not to forget how blessed we are, but this weekend it was even more evident.  We have the most supportive family and friends we could ever ask for.

I got the call from the neurologist at work on Friday.  Most of you know that Ryan and I both work for my family and I have never been more thankful to be with my dad and stepmom, Judy, than I was after that call.  Ryan wasn't here in the office then.  As soon as I hung up, Dad and Judy both came to me, hugged me, listened and let me cry.  Then Dad prayed with me and I honestly felt like a weight was lifted.  I knew then that even though the burden seems heavy sometimes, Ryan, Colt, and I do not carry it alone.  We will be able to provide the best doctors, the best school, the best whatever that Colt needs, thanks to our families.  He will be okay.  He is brilliant.  Honestly.  I know that's my job as a parent to think so, but seriously, his comprehension is amazing.  That helps me feel better.  :)

I got out my sign language book this weekend and started to try to learn some new signs, since we have no idea when Colt will talk or if he will ever talk.  I had my heart set on 2013 being the year that he said "I love you" but from what I heard, it seems that will have to wait.  It's okay, I suppose.  I know he loves us, he makes that very evident.  :)   It has been hard on us, especially Ryan, to hear that our son was born with brain damage.  I heard it when the doctor said it, but the first time I had to say that out loud this weekend, it struck me how serious it is.  Brain damage.  That's terrifying.  I feel like I am still in shock.  So many responded to the last blog post about how the brain is an amazing thing and I am hopeful Colt's can create new pathways and solutions to the problems he is facing.

Friday afternoon, I had to go get my driver's license renewed and Dad told me how to get there by taking a back road I had never driven before.  It was a good by myself thinking time.  I got to thinking about the trip we took to Akron last September.  We went to see an eye specialist and honestly, we didn't get a whole lot of information.  He was great, we did learn the kind of nystagmus Colt had and some little things, but it seemed like a lot of money for small answers.  On my drive Friday, I had kind of an epiphany, if you will.  That doctor, Dr. Hertle, was the one who suggested that we see a neurologist.  It didn't make a lot of sense then, because Colt wasn't even two years old yet and it wasn't quite as big of a deal that he wasn't talking yet.  Now, looking back, it seems like that trip had a HUGE purpose, though we couldn't see it then.  He was the one who, unknowingly, pointed us in the right direction for these answers that we got on Friday.  I see it now.  Life is all a big puzzle with weirdly shaped pieces and lots of times, we don't see how they could ever fit together.  But they do.  Eventually.

Saturday, Ryan and I took Colt and Tanner to the Tennessee Aquarium.  I took Colt a few months back and it didn't go well, but we really wanted to get out of the house and have some fun.  I am so glad we did.  We all had a wonderful time.  Colt loved it and he also loved that his cousin Tanner tagged along.  We ended up buying a membership, because it was only $35 more to be able to go for the rest of the year as many times as we want.  I'm excited to go again, though probably not on a Saturday.  It was packed.  After the Aquarium, we stopped at Dad and Judy's house.  Dad and Tucker were working on the tractor so Colt got some good tractor time in.  He LOVES tractors, so he was in Heaven.  I'll post some pictures from our day at the end of this blog.

Sunday, we had church and all that comes with it.  It was a good day that ended even better, because my college roommate, Leah, came to visit and stayed two nights with us.  I adore her and am so thankful we have stayed close, even though we have lived in separate states for the past 5 years.  Also, Colt adores her.  Heck, even Ryan does, though he likes to pick on her and pretend he doesn't.  We missed her husband, Daniel, this time but he had to work and couldn't come.  I am thankful for the laughs she provides and endless answers to my medical questions about Colt. ;)  So, thanks for coming, Leah.  It meant more than you know, especially this weekend.

Tomorrow, my stepdad, Allen, has his biopsy.  His doctor already knows that it is malignant, but I guess they have to biopsy it?  They will keep him afterwards for a few hours, so please continue to keep him in your prayers.  He needs a miracle. 

The boys loved the Stingray touch tank.

Colt also loved the jellyfish.

Best of all, he loves Tanner!

Colt and Granddad bonding over a tractor. ;)

Pure joy.

Big boy!

Learning how to use the post hole digger.

Home.