Christmas is here!

Patrick took Caleb to buy a Christmas tree last week Wednesday after his therapy session and this is the cute little one he chose.

I think it involved some bribery at therapy which apparently worked as usual and Patrick ended up spending some money on Caleb...as usual.

Caleb loves his Christmas tree which sits on a table beside his bed.
Patrick and Caleb's speech therapist, Lisa, came up with an idea to decorate his tree which we started on Friday.

Everyone who wants to participate in helping Caleb decorate his tree is welcome to but must follow the "rules." The idea is to get people to visit Caleb, talk to him, and see how he's doing! Everyone who wants to can let me know what day they want to come and visit him and bring an ornament to put on his tree! It can be handmade, an ornament you already have, or whatever you want! But you must bring your ornament yourself and put it on his tree! Caleb loves the company and would love to see faces he hasn't seen in awhile! We love the company too :) !

Okay, I guess I should make an exception for those who don't live on Oahu. If you want to help Caleb decorate his tree and don't live in Hawai'i then you obviously don't have to come and put it on yourself. But a picture of yourself with your ornament would be good so I can put it in his album of his tree decorating experience.

"Until you realize that what's around you doesn't control you anymore, you will not be free." That's something that many people have heard before and for me it is something that's been replayed for the past few Sunday's at church. But it finally clicked on a light for me and I journaled on it. My circumstances do not control me...I choose the way I am going to react to whatever situation so if I'm going to be upset or sad or whatever because of my circumstances it's all up to me! But then I'm letting things control me. So I've been working on not letting what's around me control me because I want to be free from it!

It's been hard though especially in this world we live in and the THINGS I have to deal with everyday. I have to make choices constantly on how I am going to react, feel, etc...because whatever I choose will affect many people and things to follow.

So here's my current issues:

1. It's been 1 1/2 years...no bath chair, no stander

But God is good! We got a loaner bath chair and a loaner stander (which he's pretty much outgrown) Still, I am thankful.

2. We purchased Caleb his own pulse oximeter machine a year ago after going through so many unnecessary events and conversations about getting one that actually works from the supply company and insurance. Problem is it's been giving us problems for quite some time. I called the company, they sent us a loaner, I sent our unit back, they sent our unit back after attempting to fix the problem. And it's not fixed. And the loaner is defective. Called again. They said they would send a loaner that works. Didn't receive it. Called again. "Hmm, it looks like it wasn't shipped out." :) "I know sir, that's what I said." They said they would call me in the morning. I hope they remember that I'm in Hawaii and don't call me at 4 or 5 am.

But God is good! Even though his machine isn't working how it's supposed to at least we were able to purchase one. It would have been much more of a headache going back and forth through insurance and the supply company. We are still fortunate.

3. Our nursing hours are not being covered. We had 40 hours left over last month. This month we have about 62 hours left over so far. Frustrating? VERY.

But God is good! We have such great nurses that we all love and are thankful to have loving hearts watch our little boy. We are thankful to have supporting parents to help us care for Caleb too! We are blessed beyond!

Yes, I am frustrated about these things. I don't want to be a pushover because I know that we should have all those things...that Caleb should have them. But I don't want to stress over all these things anymore. It tires me out. First I need to pray about them and then approach whoever I need to in those situations. I don't have that all down but I'm working on it. The biggest thing is to know that no matter what...it doesn't control me. And God still provides us with whatever we may need!

On the greener side, Caleb continues to grow in many ways! He's getting so big now, I can't carry him like I used to! He's definitely has to start walking! He continues to excel in therapy and from what I hear from Patrick, his speech therapist has been harder on him and sets strick boundaries and rules for him. It may sound sad but I think it's good for him. It pushes him to do things that he can do or already has done before and to do new things too. It seems to work and I'm glad she encourages him that way rather than giving in to him. She works so well with him...she's really got a gift for that! (Another thing I am so very thankful for!)

Micaiah is learning lots of good things in school but still has a hard time when I drop him off. (And I must admit I do too.) He really doesn't want to go to school when Patrick is over because he just wants to hang out with Caleb and Patrick and so I let him hangout with them in the morning for a bit and take him in later. Actually, Micaiah knows when Patrick's over and will call Patrick to take him out of the room when he wakes up and will hang out with them while I get a little more sleep. Isn't that nice? (Another thing I'm so thankful for)

Our house is decked out with Christmas lights which Caleb and Micaiah love. It's nice to just sit out in the front yard and look at the lights and relax.

"I'm so special. I've got my very own tree! THANK YOU UNCLE PATRICK!"

"I think I need more lights!"


"Uncle Patrick, does this side look okay?"

Christmas is coming soon and Caleb's all ready. He's looking forward to seeing family and friends and being surrounded with more and more love!

Thank you for supporting us throughout this year with countless prayers and for standing in faith with us everyday. We love you all.