We Made It

Well, we made it to Colorado.  It's been an interesting trip so far.  Jack started getting sick the day before we left and he's sort of gone down hill from there.  There have been a lot of sleepless nights for us all.  I'll just be real honest and say that traveling with a sick baby is the pits!

 

Ella is having a blast skiing.  She is so much stronger than last year and it shows.  Isn't she beautiful?

Lucy has been very emotional since we've been here and after a little prodding I realized she was really upset that she couldn't ski.  She cried, I cried, Erik cussed.  It really isn't fair and my heart is broken for her.  Thankfully there are lots of extra things to do here in Winter Park.  Tonight we went bowling and she had a blast!  I think we had found a new hobby for her.  Look at this face after she made a strike.

I'll be posting when I can.  After all, we are on vacation :)

Encouragement

I just wanted to pop in quickly tonight to thank you all for the encouraging words. I told my Mom today that sometimes when I share my emotions through my blog, God sends just the right comments my way. I am very grateful for the prayers you all continue to send our way.

I do want to clarify one thing, though. Lucy has the best kindergarten teacher we could ever ask for. Her homework is appropriate and I really love our phonics based reading program. I just didn't want anyone misunderstanding me.

I'm taking the kids on a little Spring Break trip tomorrow. We are excited, but packing for all of us is a true test of endurance. 3 suitcases, 1 carry on full of medicine and 3 backpacks. This is going to be fun!

Be sure to check the blog over the next few days. We have filmed a video promoting the Go Lucy Go Foundation and I hope to upload it soon. We have also done some radio spot about the 5k. My favorite part is Lucy's radio spot.

Stay tuned!

The Will to See

I sat down to write last night and nothing would come out.  My fingers couldn't move and my brain totally shut down.  I literally stared at the computer for 30 minutes wanting to write, but not able to will myself to move.  I'm not really sure why either.  All in all it was a good day.

I think my mood changed after helping Lucy with her reading homework.  She got so frustrated and cried.  A   lot.  I could just see the defeat in her eyes.  She was so discouraged, and so was I.  It is such a helpless feeling knowing that her limitations may be irreversible.  Commercials for the learning centers seem to taunt me as I know that even they may not be able to help Lucy overcome the obstacles in front of her.

Tonight's reading was much better.  I think that's whats so hard with Lucy.  Some nights/days are good.  Others are not.  Its a roller coaster for sure.  We never get to stay in neutral for very long.  The highs seem to be very high and the lows are almost rock bottom.  They are for me, at least.

In Sunday school this past Sunday my Dad spoke of the amazing miracles Jesus performed in the Bible.  It was a lesson that I could hardly sit through without tears.  Lucy's life is a modern day testimony of God's miracles.  Over and over he proved Himself.  I told the class that (besides a few dark moments) I never really doubted that God could heal Lucy of cancer.  Cancer was never bigger than Him.  What really made me doubt and fear the most was when Lucy went blind..twice.

When her sight was restored, both times, I knew I had been a part of a miracle of Biblical proportions.  My faith, along with Lucy's vision, had been renewed.  I still have nightmares about those dark days when Lucy couldn't see.  Whether or not it is rational, the prospect of Lucy going through life without being able to see was almost worse than living with cancer.  To have had sight for 5 years and then to have nothing; well it was more than my soul could bear.

I guess all these things have been weighing on my mind lately as I have watched Lucy struggle with reading.  I think about the limitations on her life as she grows up if she can't read well.  I think about the joy I get from submerging myself in a great book.  I want that so badly for Lucy.  I pray every day that God would continue to work miracles in Lucy's life and that she will continue to beat the odds.  She is tough and she will fight.  We will, too.  We would appreciate your prayers as we work daily to overcome the challenges in front of her.


And if you want to know why I'm really losing my mind, this video pretty much sums it up.

Weekend Goodness

What a glorious weekend it was in West Tennessee.  The weather was unseasonably warm and we all had a touch of Spring fever.  I cleaned out closets and did a major Goodwill sweep of the house and garage.  Erik laid four scoops of mulch (with a little help from me) and trimmed all my Crepe Myrtles.  We still have a lot of mulching to do but things are starting to look good around here.  Jack spent every waking minute outside this weekend and Lucy enjoyed her share of Popsicles on the back porch.

Ella practiced softball all weekend long.  She has learned how to throw the ball against the roof to practice her pop flies.  We decided to let her try softball again this year, after a hiatus last year.  She moves up to the next division this year and we were very hesitant to put her back in the softball arena.  Here is West TN, softball is HUGE.  It is very competitive and when you commit to playing you have to give it your all.  She begged and pleaded; and even went as far as to stop art lessons for a few months so that she could play.  I have been so pleased with her commitment to practicing and her desire to become better.  Practice starts this week, so life is really about to get hopping!

The most exciting thing we did this weekend was go to the Zoo.  I think I was the most excited one in the truck.  I couldn't wait to see Jack's face when he finally got to see the Elephants.  It was everything I thought it would be.  He was in awe at every turn.  The girls also had a great time, although I think we wore sweet Lucy out!  She was exhausted when we left.

This whole weekend I was keenly aware of how blessed we are.  We are finally becoming a family again and it feels so nice.  Doing normal things, like working in the yard and blowing bubbles at the sun, has never been more rewarding.  I'm not sure we will ever live without the fear and knowledge that things can change in the blink of an eye for us, but right now things are good.  And good is a really great place to be.

 **Don't forget to enter the Mucinex sweepstakes. Don't miss your chance to learn about Children's Mucinex and possibly win $100!  http://erikandkatekrull.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-craft-kind-of-day.html**

Hearing Aids

*Register now for the 3rd Annual Go Lucy Go 5k, benefiting the Go Lucy Go Foundation and LeBonheur Children's Hospital.  April 20th, 2013.  Spirit Runners are welcome and receive a t shirt (which can be mailed.) Go HERE to register.*


It's official.  My baby girl can hear again.

When Dr. White turned them on, the look on her face and in her eyes was priceless.  While I was so happy she could hear again, I felt horrible that somehow I didn't know.

The feel of her hearing aids will take some getting used to.  She is really excited about them and knows they are going to help her hear, but they are uncomfortable right now.  This is to be expected and thankfully she really only needs them during class time for now.  We have no idea what the future will hold for Lucy's hearing, but we are just going to take one day at a time.  

Sometimes technology just blows my mind and this is one example.  These tiny little hearing aids have so much power.  They are capable of so much.  It's really more than I can wrap my little brain around.  I don't have to understand it to appreciate it, that's for sure.  Tonight I am so very grateful to the doctors, nurses, Audiologists and scientists who work so tirelessly to improve our lives.  Especially the lives of the precious girl above.  

What to hear Ella play the piano?  (Its actually a mommy/daughter duet) She's only 2 months into lessons and I'm really impressed!  Go HERE to see it.