A Date!

We've finally got a date for Caleb to come home! He's coming home on Tuesday, 4/24! We're so excited/anxious/nervous...so many feelings! We are trying to set everything up before he comes home! Caleb has been doing well. He started some new physical therapy things that he does on a mat on the floor and on an excercise ball. He really likes it too. And we've got a loaner wheelchair right now so we take him for walks along the Carter corridors. His eyes are still only half way opened but hey, it will take time and we are so thrilled to even see a little bit of his eyes! He's been on an "artificial nose" (with his trach) during the day and at night he is on a humidifier. But he is getting better everyday! Thank you Jesus!

Okay I've got a novel to write now so read on if you dare. :)
I was thinking about all the things I blog on everyday and about our faith being tested and wondered how much of our lives I should share with you all. You've all been so supportive and your prayers are immensely appreciated so I've decided to share EVERYTHING! Here goes:
Brandon and I got into a huge fight on Saturday which really tested our relationship and our faith. Gosh we just got married too. Anyways, we were both just so stressed out about everything going on and I think some emotions were just bubbling inside of us and we blew! The devil was really trying to get to us and tear us apart. But we didn't let him...on Sunday we went to church together and o my goodness...the Lord really spoke directly to us! Isn't that so amazing how that always happens? So we talked things out and realized what was really happening. We've got to stick together and work it out. Every marriage has its problems and ours has a lot of pressure and stress attached to it. But we know now that if we let the devil get to us and tear us apart then he has won this battle. Caleb will not be healed if we let the devil be victorious over our marriage. We know that God will heal Caleb but we've got a lot of changing of our hearts before he reveals his complete miracle to us. And just like I said before, it will take time to change some things. God's waiting on us and we are changing day by day but it will take some time. This is just the beginning and we've got a long more way to go. There will be many more tests for us but we can overcome them through Christ. Our faith is DAILY being tested. Did you know that the statistics of a marriage lasting when there is a special needs child in the home is VERY slim? I know it's not surprising and maybe people thought we were even nuts to get married through this all. But we think it's what the Lord wanted us to do. God gave us each other for an eternity no matter what. We are working through this and will get through this and anything else that comes our way. We will stay together despite what statistics may say. Because we have JESUS on our side! Hey just like how the doctors told us all the statistics and Caleb over came them through the power of prayer and through our awesome God!
That reminds me...Caleb's pediatrician came to visit the other night and told us that he has overcome all that the doctors thought he wouldn't. He said he fooled everyone. The doctors thought that he wouldn't be going home without oxygen being needed...much less being able to go home at all! Boy did our God show him otherwise! He said he is a special little boy and we know there is something different about him...Yes, doctor there is! Jesus is with him and he's got a big plan for this little boy to fulfill here on earth!
Last night we had the honor of visiting and having dinner with the Vara family. (prayforabby.com) They are the ONLY people we know that can relate to us and know what we are going through and how we are feeling. We are so grateful to have them in our lives. Words cannot express how thankful we are to have them to talk to and help us in this journey. Many people may think they know what we are going through and how we must feel...but really no one will ever know unless they have gone through the exact same thing. (or very close to it) Tiffany and Ray Vara are those people for us....that know! Thank you Jesus for the Vara's!
Some things we talked about were how we always tell Caleb how much we miss him. But really it doesn't make sense. He's here and alive with us! Why do we miss him? We've stopped telling him that because we feel that it must make him mad because he is here! And we do thank God everyday for returning him to us. (I think he was driving Jesus nuts with his non stop talking...and his "why's" and being a little rascal so Jesus told him okay you can go back to mommy and daddy for now) haha. Caleb is fine right now and we have to accept that he is. It is us that are not okay and we need to find that place where we are okay with everything. We also talked about how it wasn't an "accident" because there is a bigger plan for him and for everyone's lives he touched or will touch. It's so weird to think about certain things he did the week before that led up to the incident. I don't think he knew what was coming but I think God prepared him and led him to do certain things before this happened. For instance...the night of the incident as I was getting ready to leave for my Women's Bible Study, he had told me, "mommy you didn't say bye to me! come give me a hug and a kiss!" and I told him I wasn't leaving yet and I wouldn't do so without saying goodbye to him. But we kissed and hugged anyways. Then before I was about to leave I told him goodbye and gave him another hug and kiss. As I was getting into my car he ran to the front door and told me he wanted to say goodbye to me. I reminded him that we already did but I picked him up and gave him a big squeeze and kiss once more. Then I backed out of the drive way and drove away as he stood by the front door waving goodbye with that handsome little smile of his. I love to just replay that part of the night over and over in my head. He's such a sweetheart and I'm so glad that I had that moment with him before this all happened.
Okay well I think that's enough for today. Maybe I'll just right a book already. :) I've got a lot more on my mind but I'll save that for the next blog. Sorry I haven't been blogging but it's been more hectic trying to situate everything and preparing to come home. But once he's home I'm sure that I will be blogging daily because I'll have easier access to a computer. And to our visitors: you are still welcome to come to the house to visit! Our doors are always open!
Love you and God Bless you! Never give up praying...NEVER! Thank you...