It is moments like this that can make the heart of a Momma with a medically fragile kid sing! Just watching Parker be a boy helps me believe that one day he will do all things typical: running! playing with friends! hanging out at the ball field! shooting buckets on our driveway!
And most important of all, being healthy. We just want so much for this amazing little spirit to be healthy.
We still have lots of hurdles in front of us. A right heart cath in February. The reality of his Pulmonary Hypertension. Two very invasive surgeries in order to reverse his colostomy. The intense recovery time from those.
Then there is the depressing certainty of our financial situation due to overwhelming medical debt. I especially miss the days when this wasn’t such a constant nagging voice in the back of my mind.
I worry about these things. Lose sleep over them. Spend great amounts of time on my knees petitioning for help concerning them.
I miss the days when I didn’t have to worry about the grocery budget. When I didn’t have to make intensely detailed lists to make sure the monthly trip for supplies lasted for all the days needed. The days when a lost coat wasn’t the cause of major stress. (How are we going to replace THAT?) The worry over the gas tank being full enough to last until the next paycheck.
But sometimes I think that all the trials we have been through make each of Parker’s belly laughs sweeter. His healthy times more appreciated. The simple joys of his growing up more meaningful.
And for those things I give thanks.
You have such an amazing outlook onlife! You truely are an inspiration!
Tammy, this is the most beautiful post. I am sorry things are so hard. Parker is so beautiful. Just look at that little guy. It just makes me cry, all of it. He is such a sweetie pie! I wish I could do something to help ease your stress. Parker, Cheez Its are my favorite crackers! Can I have one? Okay, I’ll get my own box lol! I love you sweetie. Every time I see pictures of you on your blog, I feel sunshine!
Love you all of you and prayers for good health and easier times,
Amy
Tammi,
I have a spare next-to-new boy’s coat (size 8). If you’d like it, I’ll send it to you. Email me.
Christa
Cheez-its..yum! Hey you know you can stack these you know. It might be fun for him to stack the crackers then eat them. You could even stack saltines.
Im praying for your sweet boy, and your family.
I love your last paragraph and how you have those things to be thankful for, despite the financial hardships.
He’s so cute digging into the cheez it box! Definitely just like a boy – those are one of Joe’s favorite snacks!
Guess what? You won the Jane Austen Book Club in my pay it forward book exchange! Congrats! Just send me your mailing address and I’ll get the book on it’s way to you!
Tammy – {{{hugs!}}} see you tomorrow! Can’t wait!
Christa,
What a sweetheart you are. My Mom has offered to replace this coat. My parents have saved our hides in more way than one. It is just humbling to have to rely on their help so much at my age and stage of the game.
I just hate that instead of being able to be irritated by something like this, it turns into such a financial worry.
If I get to make it to the yard sales this summer (couldn’t last summer with Parker in the hospital so much) I’m gonna buy a couple of coats in all the sizes that I need just in case….
num num parker!!!!
I want some Cheez-Its. He’s sooo cute.
Hi Tammy, thanks for dropping by!! Your little guy is absolutely beautiful…Wow! I love that look of intense concentration and anticipation on his face
)
I will so be praying for you in your incredibly difficult situation. I have a feeling there are many many people praying for you… Hang in there!
He is so precious. I’ll have to blog some of Brianna. I really need to get more of her story out there. I wonder if I can get her story off my old computer. It’s quite a story. such miracles these kids of ours!!
A good belly laugh can keep me going for a long time. What a sweet little boy.
Hi Tammy-
Thanks for stopping by to visit me. I love your pics of Parker, he’s the cutest little thing!
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for signing our blog! I have actually checked in on you and Parker for awhile off and on and we have been praying for him for a long time! I think at one point we were on a board together too. I will sign in more often! He’s adorable!
Oh, how very sweet! I love this kid!
I love the pictures! Absolutely precious!
Oh, that is hopeful. You are doing your best, and that’s all that can be expected of you.
And I tagged you for a meme, if you feel like (and have time to) play along.
I send my love.
Parker has enough warmth oozing from him to melt the winter snow
One day, one moment, one second at a time … despite the financial aspect, you are one blessed mommy
Hi Tammy,
As for the blocks, I have a set of rubber blocks bought at Target, by Parents. Noah little hands can hanlde well enough. Although I am not sure I could stack all 10? I can send you a set if you like. I could not find the link, but will send when I do.
Cheez its are my favorite too! Oh how I wish I could resist and eat just one at a time
I continue to pray for Parker’s health to improve and as well as your financial situation. You are remarkable. Hugs – Terry
Got any spare Cheez Its? I’m about to eat my arm over here!
Parker and all of you are in mine and my husband’s prayers.
Hugs to you and yours!
Kay
You are my inspiration. Actually, I think you are Superwoman…where’s your cape?
The belly laughs…the smiles…the eating crackers out of a box…I fully expect to see Parker running across the yard sooner than imagined.
All that being said…know that I pray for Parker, you and your family daily. I hope for you, dream for you. I realize there is a long way to go. Hold on…
Love ya. ox
What an amazing family you are! I just saw this blog, and am truly inspired by you!
I wish we had a health care system in this country that didn’t make brave, loving, stressed parents and families have to worry about losing everything to help those they love be healthy. Makes me crazy.