Gift of the holidays

This holiday season was a little more reserved this year. Staying in Texas this year for the holidays, we were able to spend a lot more time together.... just the 5 of us. We still had a wonderful time with our extended family, but it was nice to spend quality time with those closest to my heart.

I always wish for a white Christmas and this year I got one!!! Almost all day Christmas eve the snow was falling. But unfortunately, the day before it 73 degrees out. The ground was so warm I didn't think the snow would ever stick, but it DID!!! At 9:00 at night we all threw winter coats and shoes on to rush outside and play in it while it lasted. I thank God for that snow. My boys smiles were so big and even Braylon couldn't help but laugh as the snow fell on his face. This was B's first real experience with snow. As I watched him trying to run in the snow like his big bros, I remembered my extremely high goals I had for him just 6 months ago. Goals that included Braylon running in the back yard with his brothers for Christmas. WoW! What a wonderful gift I received. Just like a white Christmas in Texas, when you least expect it God can make it happen.

It is now 2010. A new year, a new decade and I'm sure new battles to fight and races to win. But as I look back to at the last decade I smile. Like the commercial... It wasn't always perfect, but it had some perfect moments. And in those times God was perfectly molding me. Creating in me faith, strength, empathy and perseverance. What's to come? There's no telling, but I will continue to grow. And for Braylon and my other boys, I'm sure there will be more miracles to report and mountains to overcome.

Have a Blessed New Year!

Christmas past, Christmas present

10 days till Christmas!!!! This year has gone by so fast and so much has happened. Christmas 2008 my family and I traveled to Pennsylvania. We spent time with the family, went snow-tubing and of course shopping. Life was normal and wonderful. We spent Christmas Eve thanking God for the birth of Jesus and thanking God for our family we were surrounded by. Christmas day was spent at gram's house with family again and presents (of course). Braylon was 8 months old and seeing his first Christmas. At this time, we had no clue that Braylon had a stroke. We didn't know the amount of damage that occurred to his brain. And we couldn't even recognize the fighter we had on our hands!
I remember it clearly.... My two older boys slowly walked down the stairs to see what Santa had left them. Perhaps they even surprised at how much there was. Braylon is being passed from lap to lap. He was unable to sit up, so he was held a lot. Tearing at the gift wrap was more fun than anything else for Braylon. I can remember having conversations about Braylon and how "normal" he seems. (At this time we had a neurology appointment, but hadn't gone yet.) He was 8... almost 9 months old and he couldn't sit on his own or hold a bottle. Really he barely played with anything. I don't think that was normal.
This past year I've learned my baby had a stroke and suffered major damage. But more importantly I learned that with God even babies can overcome any obstacle. When I think back on it, I just can't believe all God has brought us through. The amount of change I've seen in Braylon in less than a year is nothing short of a miracle.
Christmas is always full of memories. My memories will always be landmarks on Braylon's road map to his destiny. This year at Christmas we will be in Texas with family. Braylon will be playing outside with his brothers and cousins. He will be free from all laps (although I'm sure when he's ready there will always be one available). I'm sure tearing the wrapping paper will still be fun for him. B will be enjoying the holidays on a completely different level and I'm so happy for him.

Happy Holidays everyone! Happy Birthday Jesus!!

From the walker to the AFO brace... either way, Braylon is determined!

Strong hand, Powerful speech?

Last week I took Braylon in for a neurology appointment. I was a little nervous to hear what the doctor was going to say about B's speech not progressing. This week B will be 19 months old and he is still not communicating with us. Although he says the "dada" sound and the "mama" sound, neither are directed towards us. The only hand gestures Braylon uses are bye-bye and peek-a-boo. So even with all of the awesome improvements going on physically with Braylon, my curiosity about his speech delay and play delay makes me a little nervous.
Anyways.... after the neurologists being amazed at Braylon walking already (remember he didn't even know if he'd ever walk), we began discussing the speech issue. I informed him that Braylon has been receiving speech therapy for some time now, but with no progress. His next question to me was, "Is anyone in the family left-handed?" My response, "Yes, my husband and dad are both left handed, but what does that have to do with speech?!?" It turns out that Braylon would've most likely been left-handed (like daddy), but because of the stroke his strong hand will of course be the right hand. It also turns out that most of the time speech is located on the same side of the brain that controls your strong hand... which in Braylon's case is his right side of the brain (the damaged side). It's amazing how God created our bodies to work!
My nervousness turned into thanksgiving. Although B is still not communicating, I know that he will soon. We are going to have to wait on the speech info to transfer from the right side to the left side of his brain. AND of course we will be on Braylon's time, like everything else.
I've always heard and read that there's power in the tongue. I find it very insightful that a person's strong (powerful) hand is located near the powerful tongue in our brains. It makes me wonder what God's purpose is for that.... Maybe thoughts really do become words and words really do become actions. Who knows?!

MIA

It has been awhile since I posted anything on my blog site. I'm sorry for those of you who check regularly for updates, because I have been missing in action. But let me stand clear God has still been very present in our lives!!!

As you can see in the picture Braylon has a walker. My mom and gram were in town when we first received the walker and it was so cute to see B and gram both using their walkers to get around. I should have seen if they would race. LOL! ... just kidding!! Braylon used the walker outside to get around and hang out with his big brothers, but indoors he stayed crawling on his knees. It seemed to me that B didn't want to leave his comfort zone. He knows how fast he is hoping around and was fearful that he wouldn't be able to keep up with the rest of us on two feet. It's probably a common reaction when something is new. I can only speak for myself, but its hard to start something new fully committed. Fear creeps into our thought process and convinces us that we can never be as good in a new adventure, so we'd rather stay with the "comfortable" old one. Although that may be a common response or emotion, it doesn't mean we have to stay in that emotion of fear. And I'm so glad Braylon didn't either!!!

Literally within a couple weeks Braylon has moved away from his walker and begun walking on his own!!! The comfort of his crawl has changed into the new explorations his walk can take him too. It all started with three steps to his bottle, then five to a pretty young lady (not me...lol) and now his steps are so many I can't even count. B's walk isn't the prettiest. As a matter of fact his o/t said he looks like Fred Sanford from Sanford & Son... which is so totally true! But it is beautiful to me. To see B walk across the room, pause to catch his balance, then continue around the corner is one of the best things I've seen. Thank you God, for your vision is always bigger than mine.

Braylon is a constant reminder of how blessed we are. Last week, my oldest son Torian, was doing homework. On his third sentence he told me his hand was too tired from writing. My first instinct was get on to him, but then I remembered B. We talked about Braylon and the fact that he doesn't even know how to begin to use one of his hands, let alone complain about it being tired. We discussed how God blesses us all with individual gifts and to not use them would be sad. After the discussion, Torian no longer complained about a hurting hand and later that night he thanked God for all 10 of his working fingers. Because B is a constant reminder for us, I ask this for Braylon..."With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

How Great is Our God Tour

God is so great and so mighty! Friday I took Braylon to a new doctor for a check-up. The doctor was taking note of his past medical history and issues with his stroke. The exam continued as normal, then the doctor left to get some referrals for a hearing test and eye exam. While she was gone, the head doctor came in to speak with me about Braylon's stroke. As I was discussing the amount of damage done to his brain, I remembered I had a couple MRI pics on my phone. So I pulled out my phone and showed the doctor (who had another doctor with him). He was speechless. The only words he could say over and over again were, "That's impressive." He couldn't believe that B was able to do as much as he was with an MRI image like that. The head doctor called in Dr. Khan (B's new doc) to see the images along with 2 more nurses. All them kept repeating "that's impressive." The nurses were able to talk a little more and were stunned at what they were seeing. I told them that I was scared to death when I first saw the images as well, but then I looked down at Braylon playing and smiling back at me and I knew God is always good.
When the appointment was over, I gathered my things and headed out the room. As I stepped out the door, I saw the 2 nurses crying over what they just saw in Braylon. Then walking to the checkout, I saw the head doctor in a room full of people talking about what he had just seen also. My thoughts.... sometimes the worst things in life can be the loudest voice to edify the Lord! We all need to humble ourselves and I think that day some doctors realized that although they can do some amazing things, God is so much bigger than them!
Today in church I saw one of the most powerful videos to every come before my eyes. Some of you may have heard of it or seen it as well, but I'm including some links to check it out anyway. The video puts in perspective how BIG God really is. It connects science with christianity. And by the end you will see why the only words the doctors can mumble out about Braylon are "That's impressive." My mighty Lord literally has allowed all of us to connect with him thru the cross. Watch and be amazed.

Deon

The video is about 40 minutes long. Because its on youtube, I guess you have to watch it in 5 parts. It's worth it tho!!!! Pass it on too...

part 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGxsI8ksX8Q

part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfNiZrt5FjU&feature=related

part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVxdRrWjh0g&feature=related

part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6AB5IvogHc&feature=related

part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVBNKSjg-LQ&feature=related

Images....

"Nothing even looks wrong with him." I hear those words all of the time from people I meet and share Braylon's story with. What they don't understand is, B may have a disability, but in no way something wrong. The Bible says, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." How can anyone have anything "wrong" with them when we are all made perfect in the image of God.

Looking at Braylon, there are some definant issues he is overcoming, but God's light is always shining through him. I see miracles and blessings everyday in my baby. It is truly a blessing to be chosen my God to have a child who had a stroke. When I go to the store, the chiropractor, a football game or anywhere, I find the closest person to me and tell them about Braylon. I tell them he had a stroke, suffered severe brain damage, lost vision and was partially paralyzed. Not because I want pity or attention, but so I can hear those words.... "Oh my God!" Yes, my God is here with us everyday. We get to see him in our lives and have a constant reminder of how good he is. I brag to strangers how good God is and the work he is doing in Braylon (and my whole family). Most people don't have a story to tell that gives praise to God in front of friend and foe alike.

Made in the image of God.... all of us are. Let's take a look in the mirror and see our image. Find God in us; our beauty, courage, triumphs and persistence. There is absolutely nothing wrong with us! God makes no mistakes. Take your disabilities, your failures and use them to sing praises to the LORD GOD our FATHER! I promise you will feel much better about the "cards you were dealt" and the obstacles in your way.

photos above were taken for The Littlest Heroes Project by Alison at Starglo Photography.

www.littlestheroes.org

www.starglophoto.com