My Journey Toward A Trusting Heart

A day of rest...

Well, that's what it should be, right?? For me, yes, it is. For the DH, not so much. He's working tirelessly on the 1/2 bath in our lower level. He gutted the whole thing, ripped out the old flooring, shower, etc...and is remodeling the entire room.

Today he is grouting the tile -- looks just about professional! As we speak, he's laying out the floor tiles, getting read to do the sticky part of that.

Its gonna look great.

Yesterday we let Colton get out of view and he rode his bike, Evel Knievel style, down the driveway. This AFTER I told him NO MORE RIDING W/O A HELMET! He has only recently learned to ride his two-wheel bike -- and we have yet to purchase suitable helmet and pads...SO, he took off against my warning, took a spill and today has a huge bruise growing out of his right calf.

its gonna be a doozey. Careless parents that we are, we did not do his scheduled "factor" on Friday...or Saturday! So, today he's paying the price. Keeping him off his feet is like -- well, words fail me. Just take my word for it.

For those of you reading this and don't know it, my 6 y/o son, Colton, is a severe hemophiliac. (This means his blood-clotting factor is less than 1%) He was diagnosed at one week old. At ten months, we had a "sub-dermal port" (or port-a-cath) put into his chest. This port (very much like a chemotherapy patient would have) allows Colton to have a very normal life. His condition requires that we infuse him at least 3x/week. These infusions are routine for him, as they are for us. It requires about 10 minutes time, and involves mixing the "recombinant" (or manufactured factor product) with sterile water, then using an IV line w/ a right-angled needle, inserted into the port and slowly "pushed" in from a syringe.

I am often asked if he can play sports....yes, some. Hockey is out, as is football and soccer. too much risk of injury. Swimming is good for him -- no joint pressures, but good for circulation and therapy.

To look at Colton, you'd never know there was anything "wrong" with him. When we got the diagnosis, my DH and I determined he would not be catagorized or singled out...yes, we wisely set some boundaries, but all in all, he does almost everything his friends do...he is busy and energetic and smart. He just happens to have a ton of bruises!

So, today, we're fighting to keep him "down" -- leg wrapped w/ an ice pack. By tomorrow, (Monday, 24th) he'll look like he's been run over. We'll factor again, and by Wed he should be on the mend. Poor kid.

These kinds of injuries can be very serious, and we do take them seriously. Colton is getting to the age where he understands the consequences of his actions -- and is getting better about making better decisions about what and what not to do. Unfortunately, we are not there yet -- but are on our way.

Connor just came to me -- stinky diaper. I asked him if he had poopy in there...he said, "No. Cereal." Yeah, right. IT WASN'T CEREAL. (Connor is 2, btw). I plan to start potty training when we get home from Branson. It'll be easier in the fall, when there is less outside time and I can focus on getting him on the potty frequently. Gosh, I just can't wait.   Well, I will be so ready for him to be DONE, but I truly do not look forward to the training part. Its really not that much fun. This will be my fourth, AND LAST, trip down this road. Thank the Lord.  Of course it might not be too long and I'll have a grandbaby....oh my word. HOPEFULLY that's still a few years down the road...tho I do have an almost-19-y/o daughter who is in a serious dating relationship -- YIKES.

Yes, I am old enough to be a grandmother...but my brain isn't there yet.

Guess that's enough musings for now...be sure to stay updated at Kanner Lake Blogspot...its gonna get interesting!