All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

Please tell me that I’m not the only parent that didn’t get a manual when their sweet bundle of joy was delivered!

When we took our first package home over 19 years ago I was a little worried at times, wondering if I was taking care of him like I was supposed to but I was young and he hit all his milestones as he should, so I disregarded the thought of getting a parenting manual. When the next one came along 8 years and 11 months later we had this routine down and he hit his milestones as expected. Both boys have turned out pretty well. We’ve had a few hiccups in the road but they are both well behaved (most of the time), well mannered (at least outside of the house…which is the most important) and have both been honor roll students at school.

When our last gift (a surprise package) was due to arrive we had learned not to expect a manual, and that was fine because this was our third (and final) one…and we were ‘older’ so surely we could just handle with the same care as we did with our previous gifts, right?

Wrong!

This child has a whole different different set of rules for us to follow! I’ve tried throughout the past 4 1/2 years to find a manual somewhere…and you would think with all the online manuals you can get that there would be some PDF file somewhere that would tell me “if he does this, then push this button” or whatever!

So far I’ve had no luck finding a manual that tells me what therapies to try and how often he should have them. Is it enough that he gets Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy at both his public school and his other school/daycare? Should I be doing more to help him be self sufficient…sit, walk, talk, feed himself? Or, does he need a break in the evenings and weekends to just BE as he is?

If I just had that manual that told me if I should try ABM, Hyperbaric Therapy, Stem Cell Replacement Therapy, or something else out there that I haven’t researched or even heard of. And, should I be trying to raise funds to pay for these treatments as I know insurance will never pay for these and they are WAY out of our price range. I want that manual that will tell me which ‘thing’ we should use to help Cole.

You notice I say “help”? I don’t expect a ‘cure’! I love him (more than anyone will ever know) just like he is! I will do everything possible and necessary to help him LIVE his life! I also am pretty sure that if there is a manual out there somewhere, in the description of my job as a mother, it would say I need to teach my children how to be independent, to be self-sufficient…and I want him to enjoy life!

Some days I just need that manual!! If you happen to find one for this model (child, male, w/cerebral palsy) could you please forward a copy to me? Thanks!

 

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

Just this morning Brett had stood in our dining talking about how pretty the roses on our bushes were and then when we came home from running around this evening Shane mentioned how pretty they were.

I love that my boys are appreciating the beauty around them!

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

Today was full of adventure!

I had a wedding to go to for Joe’s nephew and his beautiful new bride. Unfortunately things just didn’t quite work the way I had intended.

We were going to go together as a family but Shane ended up having a baseball scrimmage so Joe took him to that. I left Cole with Brett for Joe to pick up later and come join me. I wanted to be able to take some pictures so I wouldn’t have my hands free to entertain Cole. Since Joe would have Cole I took his truck and he had the van that will accommodate Cole’s wheelchair.

Before I even get out of our town the gas light comes on but I hope that I can make it there and get gas on my way home so that I won’t be late. I’ve never been to this location and the maps on my phone take me down a road that leads to their back fence but NOT to where I can get around into the yard. Finally after driving in circles, ON FUMES, for thirty minutes (and getting directions from the mail lady that I’m sure I scared to death as i flagged her down), I made it there.

Of course the ceremony part was already over and they were doing pictures!  Everything looked absolutely beautiful!

This picture is of the food they were firing up on the grill afterwards… that I missed out on too! It ended up that Joe couldn’t make the trip out that far so I asked a friend to help get me enough gas in his little gas can to get me to the station so I could pump in enough to get back home.

It all ended on a good note because my brother Bobby and my SIL Stephanie came to the house for the weekend and we had fun and had good food!

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

I went to the doctor today and was told my blood pressure was too low. Joe thought that sounded so strange because typically you only hear about high blood pressure.

Straight from the doctor’s office I decided to pick up some vitamins (because I am awful at taking anything like this even though I know I need to). I asked the lady working if she had a good vitamin she could recommend for me. She said, “Sure, as long as you don’t get offended!”

You can imagine why… these are for 50+! I still have a few years before I fall into this category but when I noticed it will help my memory, I was all for it! Ha!

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

I do NOT sew!

But… I did use a sewing machine and piece together some little cushion seats for a chair that Joe made for Cole. I’m so proud of myself!

The pictures of the finished product will be coming soon!

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

I’ve done a lot of reflecting today!

Today wasn’t the easiest of days. I normally find the positive in everything I possibly can, for today, that wasn’t an easy task.

I went to the funeral for my friend’s father that passed away this past Sunday. Admittedly the funeral was very upbeat. They talked about things from the past and there were a lot of giggles. It was an awesome service as far as funerals go. And I got to see some old friends (not that they are old, we’ve been friends for a while) that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I wish we could have visited just a little longer… and under better circumstances.

After getting home to get back to work, Shane had to be picked up from school because his ear was hurting. Later I took him to the doctor to find out he also has an ear infection (I had taken Cole last Friday to find out he had infections in both ears). On the plus side, Shane didn’t seem to let it slow him down too much and didn’t really complain a whole lot… except I don’t think he was too happy when I didn’t let him play his Xbox 360 since he was sick. I know, mean Mommy!

This evening I received a phone call from one of my best friends stating her mother (who I love dearly) was in the hospital! Ugh! I’m still waiting to hear test results but from what I read (yes, on FaceBook), she is already feeling better. I pray that she was just playing some mean trick… well, that everything is really ok, and maybe she just had a little glitch.

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

Roar!!

This is my white tiger table that I got for Christmas. Isn’t it so cool looking? He looks so real!

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

My best friend today!

I can’t seem to stop all this coughing! Unless, of course, I am sucking on a Halls cough drop!

On the plus side, the Halls messes with my taste buds so I have no desire to eat constantly like I usually do!

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

Yummy!

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!

As I tried to walk past the cute little Girl Scouts standing at their little table I kept hearing something calling my name! And then I felt so sorry for the little girls standing out in the freezing wind… and bought FIVE boxes of cookies!

All images ©2011 Leanna Keathley

This morning Brett came downstairs to show me this!

Did I ever mention how much Shane cracks me up? Before he went to bed he knew Brett would be coming into his room to take his X-Box 360 to play on while Shane was asleep. I would guess, by this note, that he didn’t want his big brother taking his things. Haha

Also, if you notice, he use a big word (permission) and didn’t even ask how to spell it… and it was correct! What a smart boy!

In case you are wondering, the note didn’t stop Brett from taking it anyway.