Kizzy's Homecoming :)

John 14:1-3

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my fathers house there are many rooms; If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

A dear friend of our family passed away last week. Kizzy was the grandmother of my childhood best friend...in fact, I guess you could classify the Brown family as my families "Best Friend". On many occasions growing up we would spend summer vacations, and Thanksgiving break with the Brown family. The Powell's have kindly been adopted by the Brown's over the past 20 years or so.

The celebration of Kizzy's life took place on Monday afternoon. I choose to use the word celebration over funeral, because from what I hear...that is exactly what is was. My parents shared information with me about the stories told, pictures shown, and fellowship with loved ones that was shared.


I feel deep regret for not being able to attend this occasion. CR2 had his final doctors appointment on Monday, his MRI, and this could not be re-scheduled easily. (on a side note...the MRI results came back completely normal!!! Praise the Lord! Will post more on this later). I would have really liked to hug some necks, circle up, and share in the celebration of Kizzy's life!

My fondest memory of Kizzy goes back to the 6th grade. As a 6th grader in the Methodist Church you go through Confirmation Class. Confirmation refers to the decision a person makes to respond to God's grace with intentional commitment, publicly reaffirming his or her baptismal vows before the congregation. During this process you select a Confirmation Mentor, mine was Kizzy.

During this process we would meet as a group for class once a week after school, and would then have one on one time with our mentor outside of church. I can so fondly remember Kizzy picking me up for our weekly dinner date every week. She drove a big ol' car, I think it was a Buick. Kizzy was always dressed to a T, and had perfect hair. We always went to the same place... O'Malleys on Main Street. Now that I think about it, it is quite hillarious that we held our weekly fellowship at the local pub! ha!

Kizzy always insisted that we order a 4 course meal. I guess this was to ensure that we had ample time together. I can remember exactly what we would order...Fried Mozzarella Appetizer, Caesar Salad, Steak, and Cheesecake for dessert. I would follow her lead every time, in fact I don't even think I knew what a Caesar Salad was, I just ordered it to be like Kizzy.

It was here that we would talk about God's grace, life, and other subjects. I can't remember exactly what was said, or the Bible topics reviewed, but I do remember one thing very well...The way Kizzy made me feel! She wouldn't speak to me like a child, and always made me feel important. She was truly invested our conversations, and did not treat her time with me as a chore. She was funny and vibrant, and I was truly excited for my time with her each week. Kizzy had lots of life lessons and stories to share, and was a pure joy to be around.

At the end of our time together, Kizzy gave me a beautiful silver cross. Kizzy was a woman with impeccable taste, and I can remember how excited I was to receive this gift. It is not always easy to connect with a hormonal pre-teen, but Kizzy had a way...a certain ease about her, and I am so lucky that she was my Confirmation Mentor.

Mom shared with me certain demands that Kizzy held for her "celebration", and of course she wanted to make sure all of her friends were in town. What a trip! I find great joy in knowing that Kizzy is now home, in her father's house.

I would also like to extend my love to the Brown family. Kizzy was responsible for such a wonderful group of people! I only hope that when my family is faced with this sorrow, that we are able to handle it with the grace and joy that you all did.



Love to you all!

JP

Shutterfly Promotion

Last Christmas I used Shutterfly to make pocket sized brag books for CR2's grandmothers. Shutterfly has so many affordable options for personal family gifts. Through my daily blog readings I recently found out about a promotion Shutterfly is holding until December 10th. What a great deal for the blogger community, moms especially...read about it here!

While in Waynesville for Thanksgiving, mom and I put together the Powell Christmas card using Shutterfly. Quick, easy, and super cute! Mom had the quirky idea of making us all JUMP in the back yard. The pictures actually turned out really cute (kind of rediculous), and the message on the card read, "may you jump into the new year with joy!". We were literally done with the Christmas card, photo and all, within 45 minutes.

I have always been one to make my own invitations, christmas cards, thank you cards etc... Using my digital scrapbooking program, but with the insanity of the past month, this offer seemed to good to pass up. While looking through the options with mom, I found so many cards that met my liking.

I am eager to put my card together! Here are a few of my favoites from the 2010 collection:

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

I may even have to put together some new CR2 calendars for a few special people ;)

With the stress in this house...I am happy to let Shutterfly help out!

Love to you all!

JP

Clarity After The Fog

The last few weeks have left me feeling absent...absent from reality, reason, and my blog. What went from a joyous family weekend transferred to terror within seconds.

It was a Saturday evening and we had just gotten home from visiting family in Chattanooga. CR's parents were staying at our place for the evening as we were to drop them off at the airport on Sunday morning. The boys were playing, chase, cars, blocks, etc... as I set the dinner table. Right as I went to cut the pizza I heard CR say "Did CR2 just fall asleep?" As he went to pick up our child he noticed that CR2's eyes were rolled into the back of his head. CR2 then proceeded to have a seizure lasting around 2 minutes. His face turned blue, he was non-responsive, and his little body was consumed with tremors. Fear doesn't even begin to describe the panic I felt.

I immediately called 911 as Poppins and CR worked to revive my child. The ambulance arrived shortly after the seizure had stopped. CR2 was very out of it and extremely clammy. We were assured by the EMT's that CR2 had just experienced a febrile seizure. These seizures may occur when a child spikes a high fever. We were instructed to go straight to the E.R. for follow up. As I took CR2 out to the ambulance I was told that I was not allowed to ride with my son due to my panic stricken demeanor. My mother in-law firmly stepped in and said "You are not taking that child without one of us in there!". She rode in the ambulance, and CR and I followed.

When we arrived CR and I parked and sprinted inside to find our son. We met up with our little guy and were placed in a room...a room we would be in for the next 4 hours. It was determined that CR2 did not in fact have a febrile seizure, he was 99.0 when checked by the EMT, and 97.4 in the E.R. We then went through a urine test (they had to insert a catheter), a blood test (CR2 proceeded to rip out his IV), and a Cat Scan to rule out any trauma to the head.

Within two hours my little guy was back to being CR2. Eating ice chips, terrorizing the exam room, and sharing kisses with all of us. All tests came back clear, we were referred to see a child neurologist for further evaluation, and we were finally cleared to go home around 11:00pm. When we arrived home we proceeded to eat the cold pizza I prepared at 6:00pm, bath the E.R. germs off of our child, and head to bead. Let's just say I jumped at every moan and blanket rustle I heard through the monitor. Grama checked in 3 times throughout the night as well.

Sunday was a day of reflection and disbelief. CR and I could not help but re-play the panic stricken event from the night before over and over in our heads. CR has dealt with anxiety for years now and had an especially rough time once the adrenaline subsided. Knowing that we had allot on our plate, CR's mom decided to forgo her vacation, and stick around to help out amidst the chaos.




I could not help but to think that the flu shot my child had 48 hours prior may have been to blame. I read horrible articles about the shot being pulled in Australia and the U.K. for children under 5 years old. I was assured by all doctors involved that the U.S. is administering a different strain, and that there has been no evidence reported by the CDC. I am still not sure I believe this, and will definitely steer clear of the flu shot for the next few years.




We were to wait until Monday morning to start scheduling our doctors appointments. I was probably on the phone for a good 2 hours getting the week ahead in order... pediatrician 15 mo. check up, Neurologist exam, changing my work schedule, etc... The whole ordeal felt like a bad dream.



CR2 was such a trooper through it all! The following Thursday we had his Pediatrician appointment...everything looked great, and we went ahead with his regularly scheduled vaccinations. We then went to Children's Neurology Associates for CR2's evaluation. They determined that CR2 had a grand mal seizure and ordered an EEG and MRI. The EEG was scheduled for the next day and we were ordered to wake CR2 at 2:00am and keep him up until his 10:00am appointment that Friday. NOT AN EASY TASK! Grama was a trooper and allowed me to sleep a little so that I would be coherent for CR2's appointment. We watched videos, looked at stars, rubbed ice on his neck, played with play dough etc... On the way to the appointment we fed him in an attempt to keep him awake. CR2 hit a second wind in the waiting room, but once it was time to attach the 20 odd probes, he LOST it. CR and I were finally able to calm him, and he fell asleep. After 30 minutes of monitoring, they brought in a strobe light and asked me to wake my child. The technician proceeded with 10 rounds of strobe flashing. Let's just say CR2 didn't like this part very much, and was extremely grumpy afterwards. Once we were home, CR2 and I went down for a nap...he did not want to sleep in his crib so we snuggled into my bed for the rest of the afternoon. We later bought CR2 a giant Elmo balloon at the grocery store to apologise!



My mom came into town on Sunday afternoon so that I could make up hours at work the following week. CR2 continued to act just fine, and we went about our week. We planned our Thanksgiving meal, went back to our daily routine, and headed to Waynesville for Thanksgiving later that week. We had a wonderful time visiting with family and celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday.



On Saturday afternoon we were in the midst of getting ready for a family portrait. I had dressed CR2 and brought him down to CR so that I could get ready. We noticed that he was feeling warm and gave him a dose of Tylenol. At his 15 month check up we were told that he may become feverish within 8-10 days after his MMR immunization. I headed to the bedroom to finish getting ready. A few minutes later CR walked into the room holding CR2 and let me know that it was happening again. We laid CR2 on my moms bed and rolled him to his side...we waited for the seizure to end and then comforted our child. I promptly called Our Neurologist for further instruction. The fever had quickly broken, and CR2 took a much needed nap. Our doctor instructed us to wait until Monday for the EEG results, and at that point medicine would be prescribed.



Well...It is Monday, the results from the EEG have come back, and all is clear. There is no sign of Epilepsy. I am patiently awaiting a call back from the Neurologist, but am not sure if an answer will be given. I am so thankful that the results are clear, but am baffled as to why this is happening.




It is in times like these that we need to look to God. I need to realize that I may not get the answer I desire. I need to find peace in knowing that I don't have to understand everything that is put on my plate. My child is acting normal, he is happy, and I know how to deal with a seizure if there are more to come. We have a great medical team, and I need to trust in their decisions.

We have an MRI scheduled for December 6th. One final check to make sure all is OK. Please pray for my little family as we proceed with testing. CR2 is such a blessing, and all I want for him is a long, healthy, and happy life.

In this season of Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for! I have a wonderful family, rich in love and support, and that is all I could ever ask for. A special thank you to our parents, brothers and sisters for helping us hold our heads high throughout the past couple weeks!

Love to you all!

JP

Happy Birthday Grama!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday

Dear Grama...

Happy Birthday to you!!!

Thanks for being you, and for all that you do!

We can't wait to see you next week and CELEBRATE!

Hope your day was wonderful!

Love,

JP, CR and CR2

Bath Buddies

CR may kill me for posting these pictures, but these two are just so darn cute!

After dinner everynight CR asks CR2 if he is ready for bath time. An excited squeel followed by racing up the stairs follows!

CR2 prefers our bath tub to his, and CR doesn't mind supervising and scrubbing!

I just love to see CR with a son! These boys are the loves of my life :)

Posing for the camera

Scrub a dub dub!

Love to you all!

JP

An Elmo's World Halloween!

This year was the year of Elmo! CR2 loves this cuddly red monster, so we decided to channel our inner toddler, forget about the scary, and go with the Elmo theme!

On Wednesday night CR and I stayed up late carving Sesame Street jack-o-lanterns for CR2. CR pouted as he looked through our stack of stencils (could have done Edward Scissor Hands or Jason) and like a good daddy happily carved Elmo on his pumpkin.

I chose Cookie Monster for my pumpkin :)

We were going to carve Big Bird on our small pumpkin, but the pumpkin flesh was too tough. I took CR's drill to the pumpkin and made "stars", it actually turned out pretty cute.

Here is the front of the house with spider web, jack-o-lanterns, and my Candy Corn Wreath!

Friday night was our neighborhood Halloween Party. We were able to hang out with some of the other young families in our neighborhood, and really ended up having a great time.

On the way to the Party!

CR2 loved this ghost balloon and would frequently run out of the club house to find it!

A little Hokey Pokey action. CR2 didn't quite understand so he chose to stand in the middle of the circle. haha!

I think this was during the Cha Cha slide...parents and kids were clueless.

This precious bumble bee took a liking to "Elmo". She would hug him and say "hi baby"!

What a precious little guy! Thanks to Aunt Vonnie and friend for providing us with a POPULAR costume!

Neighborhood hay ride...you should have heard the "spooky" noises all of the kids were making! I think my favorite came from a little 4 year old boy who would repeatedly say, "Presenting, WA HA HA HA HA". Needless to say, they had fun!

On Saturday our little family headed to Boo at the Zoo!

This was so much fun and CR2 loved seeing real animals!

Elmo's Dad, Elmo, and Elmo's Mom! We got lots of laughs :)

The first animals we saw were the Elephants. CR2 was really excited and made sure to practice his elephant noises!

In the gigantic bird cage

Looking at the Apes

If you look close you can see him above CR2's head

What a face!

Watching the train :)

CR2 didn't quite know what to think of the giant Kanga Witch...

Father and Son :)

On the Zoo Playground!

On Sunday Mom and Scout came up for trick or treating and to celebrate my 28th birthday (yuck, I'm almost 30).

Two big babies :)

Headed to meet up with the neighborhood families

Elmo and Little Miss Bumble Bee :)

buzz buzz

Sooo precious!

Young Love :)

I love that face!

Put me down!

Neighborhood Buddies :)

Trick or Treat!

Heading home in the wagon :)

Elmo and Elmo's dad handing out candy during the trick or treat rush

In the spirit of Halloween, we let CR2 have a Tootsie Pop!

Let the Sugar High Begin

It was a great weekend! We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

And a big thank you to Mom and Scout for heading this way! I love my family :)

Love to you all!

JP