Blessings come through rain drops

I'm glad I've waited to update you on Mason's progress because you may have been confused with the rollercoaster this past month has been. Although all the things that we've learned have a positive outcome, it has been alot to digest.

About 3 weeks ago we went to Shriners for Mason's overall orthopedic evaluation. They took an xray of his spine and it showed us a problem. In October, his scoliosis was causing his spine to be 14 degrees off now it is 25 degrees off. Once it gets to 50 degrees off they would have to do surgery to put a metal rod in his back. So they casted him for a body brace that he will need to wear during the day everyday. It goes from under his neck to past his hips. He was amazing during the whole casting process. We had 4 people holding him down and wrapping him w/ plaster. As I tried to fight back tears, I looked at my little boy and was so proud of him. God has given him an amazing fight to endure so many things. We're grateful that this was caught in time to avoid surgery. Now our prayer is the brace will fix the problem for good.


Two days after that we met with another surgeon to do his hand surgery. We felt very confident with him and were excited that the ball was finally rolling with his hands. He said he wanted to do both hands at the same time. He will cut some of the tendons and put a pin in both thumbs. Mason will wear casts to his shoulders for 6 weeks. Even though it will be a long 6 weeks the reward was that Kevin would finally get to see his sons handprint on Father's Day. We have waited 2 long years for this day to come. In order to do the surgery we needed to get clearance from Pulmonology. We went and met w/ Dr. Kriseman who said yes that is fine but had some concerns about Mason's tonsils. They looked large to him and he was concerned about his ability to breathe during and after surgery. He asked us to follow up with ENT.



This past Monday we went and saw ENT (Ear,Nose and Throat). Dr. Orobello said yes they're huge and yes it would greatly affect is ability to breathe and NO he could not do the hand surgery until they came out. Talk about taking all the air out of you. :( To say I was discouraged would be putting it mildly. Here's where all the blessings come in to play. Dr. O is always difficult to get in w/ surgery but God always makes a way when there seems to be no way. This Tuesday May 3rd Mason will be getting his tonsils removed. He will keep him in ICU overnight and then a regular room. Then we have to wait two weeks before any other surgeries. We were able to get an appointment w/ Dr. Hess (Hand Surgeon who is also booked) May 26th.

Not exactly how we would have planned it but God in all His wisdom has protected Mason once again. Praise the Lord that we went to ENT and discovered this problem. The way his tonsils look they wouldn't have been able to get the oxygen tube down his throat to even try and do the surgery. We are so grateful for all these blessings and the doctors that God has brought into Mason's life.

It has been a long month with many lessons to be learned. When I first received the news at Shriners about his brace, my heart sank. As I was driving home, I asked God "why can't the kid get a break". I was frustrated that it was one more thing to add to the list. Can't something just be normal. After throwing another successful pity party, God sweetly reminded me of all the blessings. When I came home that night, I was reading a caring bridge site of a little girl battling cancer. As I read my heart broke for this precious family. They don't have a surgery or a brace to "fix" what is happening to their little girl. I was humbly reminded that becoming bitter is never better. The difference between that is "I". God has his hand on Mason's life and he sees full well the bigger picture. It is my job to stay on my knees and ask him each day to mold me to be the wife, mom, friend, daughter that will bring honor and glory to His name.

Blessings at times can seem difficult to find but when you look closely they will pour over your life like a tidal wave. One huge blessing came last Friday when Carrie Underwood sang "How Great Thou Art". What made an impression on me most was watching the crowd. As they stood to their feet mid song and applauded "her", I looked at Kevin and said little do they know they are applauding the Lord Jesus Christ. When you hear his name and see the magnitude of His glory, you can't help but get off your feet and raise your hands and applaud him. I wonder what was going through their heads as she sang. I know what went through mine was thank you CBS for allowing this to air so the world can hear the good news of Jesus Christ. So I've put the CEO/President of CBS address below and I want to encourage you to write her and thank her for airing this song. I can promise you she will be receiving mail from those that did not approve, I want her to hear a million times over for those of us that did. Have a blessed week. We will update you next week from the hospital.
Under His Mercy,
Wendy

Nina Tassler
7800 Beverly Blvd. LA, CA 90039-2112 (323) 575 -2747

Happy Easter

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Blessings

I know it has been awhile since I've given you an update on Mason's progress. I wanted to let you know that he has been doing great. He's eating up to 4 jars of baby food a day. :) He is still getting the majority of his nutrients from his feeding tube but we're praising the Lord for his progress. I was reflecting this past month on where we were a year ago. We were in the hospital praying for answers for all of his food complications. Mason was 12 lbs then at 9 months old. Now he is a whopping 23 pounds and heavier than ever. :)

As far as his physical progress that has been an up and down battle. ( I apologize b/c this is somewhat out of order but it won't let me cut and paste) He had improved in his sitting until he realized that if he puts his legs out straight he could stand.(with assistance) We took a backward spiral with the sitting until this past Wednesday. Last Wednesday he and I were playing and he sat for 35 minutes without falling over. The best part was he was able to anchor himself in the middle on his ball. Usually, he puts his hands on either side to keep his balance but this was the first time he was able to keep himself centered. I was jumping and cheering and he just kept looking at me and smiling. I'm sure he was thinking "whatever I'm doing my mommy sure is happy about". I couldn't believe it and I was so excited to show his therapist. Not only did he do that but I held his football out and he was able to reach up and grab it and not fall over. I was on cloud nine on Wednesday to say the least. I was praising the Lord for this huge blessing. We've been waiting so long to see his progress and he did it.

About a month ago, we were having a baby shower at our house for our friends Adam and Lindsey. We had tons of kids and adults running around our house and I loved just watching all of the excitement. Then I would look on the couch and their sat Mason, happy as can be, but not being able to get in on all the action. There was part of my heart that broke b/c I wanted him so badly to feel like he could be part of the fun. Since he has not been sitting Kevin or I have to hold him or be right next to him. If not he can only lay on the ground. With many tiny feet running around this isn't the safest scenario for him. This has been one of our biggest frustrations for his life b/c we want him to have a sense of Independence. I was sharing this with his Aunt Le Le and we began to pray that somehow someway God would show us a way to help him. About a week later, Lisa called me and said we're coming over and we're going and buying Mason a walker.
She remembered that is what they used for Tyler to get around and feel independent. (I have no idea why it took us 18 months to think of this) So we ran to Target and bought Mason a $30.00 walker. The next morning I quickly put it together and put Mason in it. Within a minute he figured out how to push himself backwards and he was off. I just sat there and cried and cried because for the first time my little boy didn't have to sit on the sidelines he was going to be able to be in the game. We had a b'day party that Saturday. We took his walker and he was able to move around and sit with all the other kids at the table. I know this may seem so small but to us this was an amazing miracle from God. Now Mason is able to go to the nursery at church and interact with all his friends. It's these moments that we get on our knees and feel like the luckiest parents in the world.

This past Thursday we went for his routine MRI scan and to meet with his neurosurgeon. (One thing that has been lacking is Mason's speech. He is usually very quiet but babbles some and has perfected "dada". Any doctor that sees him this is a huge concern. I've been praying specifically that God would please allow him to start talking. ) Going in to this appt. I was so excited to share all the great things that he was doing. His brain scan showed that the shunt is working. This is awesome b/c that means no surgery! It also showed that his brain is very malformed. Now, this is not a shock b/c we've known this all along. As Dr. R continued to talk I shared with him what Mason was and was not doing. I asked him what he thought. He said well his progress is good but he is very delayed. Then he used those words that pierce the core of my heart "Mental Retardation". He said it is part of his condition but noone knows how severe it will be. I nodded yes and continued to pretend like I was listening. As I got in the car those words kept playing over in my head. I began my inner battle with the Lord. I wasn't crying but was sick to my stomach. I was frustrated with myself that I let those words seem like poison to me. I told the Lord that Mason is made perfect. So why does this bother me. Just the day before I was on a high praising God for all He has done and the next day my heart is filled with brokeness and worry. Again and Again I have to give Mason back to the Lord. As a mom I want to fix him and make him all better and I can't and it breaks my heart. I worry about his future and how people will treat him and if someone will want to be his friend and on and on. God has to remind me to stop trying to figure it all out and just let go. He has a perfect plan designed for Mason and He will show His glory through his precious life. As I'm driving and having this conversation with the Lord this song came on the radio that I had never heard before. It is called "Blessings" by Laura Story. As I listened, tears rolled down my face b/c it's so true. Our blessings in life come through some of our hardest times. I have put her video below and I encourage you to take the time to watch and listen to it. The chorus says:

"What if your blessings come through raindrops, what if your healing comes through tears, what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you're near, what if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise. "

What a reminder of God's goodness. Mason has come so far in one year and I thank God for those gifts. I'm reading a book titled "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. (must read) There she encourages you to write down the gifts God has given you. As a read back over my list I'm amazed to see how much God has blessed me with and I don't deserve any of it. On those days where discouragement tries to rob my joy, I'm reminded of my blessings. I pray you have a blessed week. (P.S. my blog family is one of my treasured gifts, Thank you)

Blessings Cont'd

Addison Faith Bricker

Those of you that have been following my blog may remember our precious friends Adam and Lindsey Bricker. Lindsey and I were pregnant together. She had Landon five weeks early and after six days in the NICU Landon went to be with the Lord. It has been a very difficult journey for them. We were heartbroken and prayed daily that God would give them another child. Through some difficult pregnancies I'm overjoyed to announce their precious little girl Addison Faith. Addie was born in the fall and she is doing great. They came down to visit and we were able to throw them a baby celebration/ shower. We praise God for her little life. I wanted to update many of you b/c I know you have kept this family in your prayers.

Team Deacon

Around Christmas time I mentioned that for Christmas Mason wanted his friend Deacon to get better. This is a childhood friend of mine Shari and her precious baby Deacon. She and her husband have had a difficult rode with their precious little boy. God has been doing miracles in his life daily. Deacon was born with many abnormalities in his brain. He is also missing his corpus callosum. In December, they were told to take Deacon home from the hospital and enjoy their days with him. Shari and I prayed over this precious little boy in the hospital. I cried right along with her. I'm happy to say that Deacon continues to grow and all tests have come back negative. They have a rough road ahead of them but God continues to do miracles everyday in his life. She and Matt have many difficult decisions to make over the next few months. I'm asking my blog family to please keep their family in your prayers. Mason keeps Deacon's picture in his crib and every night we ask God to continue to heal Deacon. I believe children are never too young to begin a prayer life. Thank you for keeping this family in your thoughts and prayers.

After Christmas we went to see Deborah in N.C. Mason was able to play in the snow for the first time. Ummmm let's just say he was less than impressed. :) Here he is with his girls Ella and Ava. My college roomate Lori lives down the street from my sister. These are two of her five kiddos :).

Birthday Party for Jesus

This is the highlight of the Christmas season for our family. For the past 40 years my parents would have a birthday party for Jesus every Christmas night. (For the record they started before I was born :) ) Four years ago, Kevin and I took over the tradition and we love ending our Christmas day reading God's word and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. Mason was a shepherd this year. As you can see from his pictures it was not his favorite role. Mason has some sensory issues. He is very sensitive to sound. Everytime we would all start singing he would cry cry cry. Like the amazing parents we are, we looked at him and laughed and told him
We don't sound that bad !!! Christmas memories. They are the best. :)
Cole was baby Jesus. Isaac and Mason were the shepherds. Layla was our beautiful angel. Dilynn and Callahan were Mary and Joseph.
This is my precious friend Sarah. She is in Haiti for the next 6 mths working with children with special needs that have no family. Please keep her in your prayers. She is an amazing blessing.

Christmas Day!

I love my new car!!!!! Thanks Emmy and Ty Ty

I love my pirate ship from Aunt Le Le and Uncle Kevy D!

Grandpa and Grandma bought me my very own castle! I love my swing and slide.