Dr. Lori and her missionary trips

We gave the toys, jewelry, make up, & money to Dr. Lori for her trip to Ethiopia. She was over whelmed with emotion. How awesome that we can help the children and women (fistula hospital) by such a simple gesture. Thanks to everyone that helped and donated items!!! I will be posting pictures as soon as she gets back from her trip. We will keep collecting things for her since she is going to Sudan in February. I am reposting an e-mail she sent me:

This is a picture of the little girl with Tuberculosis of her spine in Sudan. The next one is of an Iraqi child that has tetralogy of Fallot and is awaiting repair. The last picture is of me and an Ethiopian girl, she had a brain tumor which we resected, she came to know Jesus, but has since gone to be with him. I treasure the smiles that I've seen your toys put on their faces. They were SO happy to get Monet and Billy's gifts:) Thank you for helping to give joy to the little children in Africa. So far your toys and jewelry have been given to children in Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, and in Israel to children with congenital heart disease from Iraq, Jordan, Gaza and the Westbank! Now, off to Madagascar and Ethiopia and the slums of Kenya.
Will write you from there.
God bless, love you! Thanks for all your help. Hi to everyone, give Billy a hug for me!
Lori

Sleep at last

O.k., tried the Ambien earlier and it made a huge difference. The last two nights we have gotten much better sleep. I wont be so spaced out and crabby now.

Monet and Billy (Dad) went to our nephew Patrick & Sarah's wedding and had a great time. Here's a picture of Monet all dressed up for the wedding.

Busy, busy

Sorry I haven't had time or is it energy to blog lately. Billy has been sleeping worse than ever. Billy (Dad) and I are going on 4 to 5 hours of sleep per night. It's getting tough. We are taking him off the Ambien little by little since it makes him irritable and he doesn't fall asleep either. I might give it to him at noon time instead. We've had more appointments and updating insurance, trying to push regional into helping us, setting up a Special Needs Trust, selling the truck, buying a van, hyperbarics, etc....all with little sleep is starting to wear on us.

Some exciting news

We have a few exciting things to share. First Billy is eating bolus feedings during the day only. I have a theory that eating all night was making him gassy, therefore, he was restless. So far it's been helping, he still wakes up gassy, but not in the middle of the night. The other exciting thing is that Billy is finally reacting to a tickel on the bottom of his feet. It is just a reflex, and it is slow, but it is something he wasn't able to do before. We are also putting him in the wheelchair more often, so he has time to adjust to sitting in a straighter position.

Just when we thought we were done with appointments a few more popped up. Oh well, that's life. He will be getting his splints re-adjsuted, then he will be getting his first dental consultation since the accident. We will also be taking him in to get a flu shot as soon as they are available. We are in the middle of hyperbaric treatments, but should finish this set by the first week of November, just in time for the next round of Botox shots.

Monet received an award at school, (no surprise there.) We are very proud of all her hard work. She will read for hours and has found enjoyment in reading to Billy Boy. That benefits them both. She's made lots of new friends at school this year, but still remains close to her old ones.

Monet and I have been busy collecting small toys, jewelry, donations, and medical stuff to send with Dr. Lori (a missionary friend of ours that volunteers with Hands of Mercy) to Ethiopia. We are turning in all the donated items by October 17, if anyone else is interested. She will be there for one month, and next year she will leave in November for two years. She is an awesome example of living a Christian life. Although we can't all do what she does, she has tought me that we can all help in our own way.