Great Music

Our family is busy with the Taylor County Fair. Hope to post some pictures in the next few days. Found this wonderful musical arrangement and just had to post a link. Cello and piano are my two favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Frock%2Dmore%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2Fsearch%3Fupdated%2Dmax%3D2009%2D06%2D30T21%253A35%253A00%2D06%253A00%26max%2Dresults%3D7&feature=player_embedded

Make A Wish

Kyle was nominated for "Make a Wish" back during the time he was waiting for his heart transplant. Representatives came to visit us early this past spring to see what Kyle wanted. He wanted a camper. Kyle loves camping, hunting, and pretty much anything that has to do with the outdoors. Last summer we had taken a few days off for a little vacation and on our way home we stopped by a camper dealership to "dream". We saw some beautiful campers and Kyle wanted one badly. He begged Kenton and I to get one but at the time we just felt we couldn't financially take on the payments. We have an older camper but it is small and difficult to sleep all four of us, esp. the tall ones in the bunch, so we usually had to take the tent along. We weren't surprised that his wish was for a camper. I was just concerned it would be too much for Make a Wish to do. The Make a Wish office contacted me a few weeks ago and told me it was a go. Kyle was going to get his camper. So today the four of us traveled to Council Bluffs to Leach Camper Sales where the Make a Wish representatives and Leach Camper Sales presented Kyle with his new 20' Wildwood travel trailer. It has enough room for all four of us, even the tall ones, to sleep in. What a great day! Kyle was so excited! He is looking forward to taking it out. When Kyle was in the hospital out in St. Louis we would talk about his wish and he looked forward to getting it granted. I am totally amazed by the Make a Wish foundation. What great people they are! I will forever be grateful! Kyle continues to live each day to the fullest. He plays hard and is jsut enjoying life. How blessed we are!

4th of July

Kyle has always wanted to drive something in the 4th of July parade. This year when he asked it seemed appropriate. So he drove the "Bush Hog" Kenton and Kyle got this spring. His friend, Colton, rode with him to toss out candy. This year's theme was "Small town, big heart". We wanted Kyle to put something on his poster to display our thanks to the wonderful community we live in. He thought up the saying himself. It said, "Miracles can happen when your small town has big hearts". I don't know if you can tell, but he had a sucker in his mouth, was tossing out candy, waving at the crowd, smiling and trying to drive all at the same time. He did a wonderful job and he was loving every minute of it. It great to watch. I know when I look back I will remember this moment today as one of my favorite 4th of July memories. Happy 4th of July!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Kyle turned 14 yesterday! We have had a busy weekend. Friday night he graduated from the 8th grade. We are so proud of him. He had a long hard year and was away from school for about 3 months but still passed with all "A"'s. We are so proud of him.


We spent most of Saturday at Rainbow Iris Farm for "Bloomfest". Kyle enjoys helping out there and esp. likes driving the golf cart. Last night we had birthday supper for Kyle with Kenton's family and today Kyle is spending his afternoon with two of his friends having a video game marathon which included pizza and pop. Things continue to be good for us and we are ever so thankful.

Happy Belated Easter and National Organ Donor Month

We have been busy, busy, busy! Kyle is doing so well! I don't know if you can tell or not but he has gained about 15 lbs. He has so much more energy. When he is not as school he spends most of his time outside with Kenton.

It is National Organ Donor Month. We want to encourage everyone to become
registered donors! I hope to post more about that in the weeks to come!

Update

It has been a long time since I have posted but we have been busy and as the saying goes, "No news is good news."  Kyle continues to do well.  He is gaining weight and seems to have lots more energy.  We continue to have monthly cardiac caths and biopsies as well as the IVIG.  All is going well which is good.  Spring is a busy time of year for us and we all have lots going on.  Kyle is enjoying being outside and being Kenton's side-kick.  It is good to see him have so much energy.

It is becoming easier to not dwell on where we have been in the last year and to try and enjoy life again.  I will probably post less on this blog unless things take a turn.  I will still use it for medical updates and as I am able to help more with the blood drives and the organ donation, post that information here also.  

Liz, thank you for your comments.  I want to get your email address, I'll try to call you sometime to get it.  I think about you often and we hope to see you again also.

We are back home and doing well

Kyle was released from the hospital on Saturday morning. He heart rate has remained stable and I am praying constantly that it continues to remain that way. He and I drove back home Saturday. The roads weren't the best and we heard that I-70 was closed for a few hours but had opened back up by the time we got to Columbia. The interstate just east of Kansas City and the roads up to north of St. Joe were bad but we took our time and made it safely.

On Sunday the Make a Wish foundation people came out to the house to visit with Kyle. Kyle wasn't shy at all and was very excited about having a "wish" granted. He seemed to sleep better Sunday night, at least better than I did. This last visit to St. Louis was really hard.

Good news- Jessica got one ratings on both of her entries at speech contest and will now be going to the state competition. We are so proud of her!

For now we hope things remain quiet and routine for us. I have to take Kyle down to the hospital for labs in the morning and then to school before I go to work. We don't go to another doctor's appointment for several weeks if things remain quiet.