Some of God's Greatest Gifts...

Today is proof that there is power in prayer. It's a sign that God is here and God is good. Today your prayers have been actualized in a 2 year old who let go of the safety of his parent's hands and chose to walk. Steps that we were told he wouldn't take, steps that we've prayed for, steps that you've prayed for.


How does a mother say enough "thank you" for a gift like your prayers? I can't. But my heart is overwhelmed with the goodness that God has given us. Thank you for your faith that God would answer us.

Daily we are blessed to watch the workings of God in little Jake's life. Knowing that a child surrounded with so much prayer is destined for a part in God's work. Seeing that already Jake is touching lives with his God given abilities and sparkling personality.




I'm continually humbled by my little family, now of 4. Ethan is growing fast, already 11lbs! He's quite vocal in all his actions, and we love every sound!

I realize how small my faith actually is as I watch Jake explore our world from a new angle. While I claim a strong faith, part of we wondered if we'd ever get to today. So many blessing God has already given us with Jake's physically health and normal cognitive ability. And yet he continue to prove himself gracious again. Wow, it just blows me away.


Please be renewed that what ever your prayers they are heard and answered, in His time.


God's Blessings and Peace to you.

Melody

So I know that it been half of forever. But this time I have a really good excuse. I am expecting our second little one in August (the 12th). And unlike with Jake, this time I was really sick for the first three months. That would lead me to believe it's a girl, but today at my ultrasound it was defiantly showing "boy" load and proud. So I beg your forgiveness for the lacking in my blogging.

It's been an exciting, but nerve racking 18 weeks. To be honest I think I had prepared for this child to also have spina bifida. For us parents that only know what it's like to have a child with a disability we almost have to accept the worst case scenario when we try for another child. We're a higher risk for a second baby with the disorder, and unless we're willing to accept that outcome you can't rightfully make the choice to try again.

That said, we've had a detailed ultrasound at 16 weeks, and what development they could see (most of the spine) everything looks "normal". Also my blood work has all returned with no abnormalities. That said it's hard to know how to act with an uncomplicated pregnancy. I am only used to the stress and emotional ups/downs with complications. My mom said I didn't seem excited to find out that everything looks good to this point. The only way I can explain it is "I don't know what to do with such an easy pregnancy. I feel like I should be "doing" something. Like I was prepared for another emotional rollercoaster and now I'm just suppose to go home and enjoy being pregnant" it's hard to get my head around.


Life is crazy as always. But we're working on some changes that will hopefully bring some sanity to the speed we live at. I have yet to return to the hospital, but am working part-time with my photography and loving it. I am missing the nursing, especially as all my girlfriends start returning to the hospital from their maternity leaves this month.

We're so thankful for Jake everyday. Nothing can explain how much we love him. It's impossible to imagine loving another child as much after all we've been though with him. I know we will, but it will be so different. But maybe that's exactly what we need.

Jake is working on his walking. It's the only thing keep him from being "normal" at this time. The last few months have been big steps for him though, he will walk with your hands (2 hands) most anywhere. I can see that he's starting to understand that walking will give him the chance to get places he hasn't been able otherwise. Keep praying for him in this area.

We will be going on a family vacation in April for 2 weeks. We really need it, both personally and more so on a family level. I pray it will be a time to reconnect as a couple and family. Any to just enjoy Gods glory.

Thanks again for all those that have faithfully followed our journies. We are looking forward to the next chapter of God's plan for us.

Mel

To my faithful readers...

Okay, so I've been worse than horrible about keeping up with the writing thing. Life seems to have gotten away on us. The funny part is that I found time today while I'm watching and extra child. Somehow I managed to get Jake and Owen (the other little guy) down for naps at the same time.

So to catch everyone up to speed on our lives. The summer flew by. We made a few trips out to BC to see friends in Cawston (Keremoes) where we purchased the house that Kev grew up in. We're not totally sure what our plans for the house are but right now we've rented it to a family. They have done lots to start on the fixing up process, but there is plenty left to go.Also Jake and I spent lots of time with my family at the Tarchuk cabin on the Shushwap. Kev joined us for a few weekends in between...
It was so nice to be able to play outside all day long. Jake loves being outside. He got his first taste of lake swimming and gardening!

We made a weekend trip north of Fort Mac by plane to Fort Chip on lake Athabasca. It was a refreshing weekend of friends (Neil and Amanda Hilman, and Janelle Hilman), fishing, and NO CELL SERVICE.

We also were able to make it to Lloydminister for Kev's grandparents 60th anaversary party. It was so nice to spend time with them, and for Jake to get to be around that part of out family. You don't realize how fast the time goes.

We're working on building our new home on a acerage outside of Mac still. Things are coming along, but it's slow going. We're hoping to be in for Chirstmas... keep your fingers crossed.Thanksgiving was a fun time for us. We took my family and intruded on friends of Kev's. They were gracious and we are thankful for their hospitality. I got the chance to take my mom and dad to Headly to the Mascot Mines up on the mountain for a private tour by a friend of ours. It is so cool, everyone should stop there if they're going past.

I know I haven't given people anything to read, I'll try to this week, but hopefully this will tie you over..... haha he's getting so BIG!

Mel

A few more trials...

So i haven't written anything since May long about our journeys. Most of the reason lies in that we've been going through and a completely crazy busy 8 weeks or so. But Jakeys birthday is around the corner and I'm praying it's going to bring some good changes...

After a peaceful and fairly uneventful (well "medically" speaking) 8 months Jake needed his first shunt revision. Maybe I wrote that I can't remember.

Three trips to emergency rooms, one UTI (bladder infection), two medi-vac flights to Edmonton, two bottles of codeine syrup, eight trips to Edmonton, one course of antibiotics, a thousand phone calls to physicians, endless sleepless nights, and TWO more shunt revisions bring us up to date.

I'm laying in the parent bed in Jakes hospital room right now, listening to the famillar noise of the hospital. He just had that last shunt surgery tonight and already is doing great. No matter how much I can complain about the last couple of months Kev and I are so thankful for all our many blessings. Just walking the floor of our unit reinforces that.

So after hearing all the bad stuff be uplifted with some of the great God things happening in our lives....

Jake is perfectly deveopmentally on track. That spark in his eye looks innocent enough, but its backed with a quick brain and constantly inquisitive mind. Kev and I are blessed with eachother and a strong marriage centred on Christ. So many friend and family constantly keeping us in they're prayers. Owning our business and financially being able to take the time to have both Kev and I at Jakes bedside. I've been able to not have to return to work until the fall. So as you see we're really doing well.

A quick note to close.

I was so touched by the beautiful words of a friend that i need to share the jist of it with you all.

She met Jake for the first time a few weeks ago, after hearing everything and keeping up-to-date over the last year. It was late and Jakey in his beautiful and gentle nature reached out to her and just touched her face. I didn't pay much attention to the whole situation until a few days later when she brought up the experience in conversation.
She said something along these lines "never have I met some one that glows with the radience of Christ like Jake. It was like being touched by him I was being touch by God. Such a special and beautiful soul." As a parent and after all we've been though nothing is as touching as hearing that Christ continues to use our son. If someone so small and without word can portray Christ's love that way, how much better should I be able to with words and experience on my side? But maybe those two things are the very abilities that hinder. After all Jesus was the one that spoke for us to cometo him like children for such is the kingdom of heaven....

Just a few thoughts... Pls ignore the spelling errors.

Melody
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Happy Day

Jake is up and at it this morning, his spirited self. Everything went fine over night, Kev stayed with Jake and I headed to my aunts after a long day. We will be heading home already as Jake is the fasted healier around. Keep us in your prayers and we need to be on the watch for infection over the next month. I added a few pictures of Jakes weekend at the lake!

Mel

A good day.

Jake's surgery went off with out a hitch. They put a new tubing from the valve at the back of his head into his ventricle. This tubing is much longer, to accomidate his growth for the last year. The great part is that its the same size as an adults, so it shouldn't need changing due to size again. Also they put a different valve in that is for "adults". It flows more consistantly when lying and standing now that his head is fully formed (no soft spot).

There was a small amount of bleeding when the old tube was being removed, so keep that in your prayers, its bad only because that little bit of blood can clog the new valve, which they would again have to replace. We're mostly in the clear after tonight.

Kev's asked to stay the night with him at the hospital, so im off to my aunts for the night.

In one month is the peak risk of developing an infection so keep us in your prayers.

Ill try to write tomorrow!

Love,
Mel & Kev
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Surgery

Jake will be having a shunt revision today at noon. It's not a huge surgery, but every one is big to a parent. After all the trouble he's been having with the shunt this month they feel its best to lengthen the tubing from his valve into his head to allow for more growth. It will be done by scope with just a small incision. One night in hospital if all goes as planned.

I'll update our blog after surgery to let everyone know that things went well. Wish i would have realized i can post from my cell-phone last July!

Melody

PS. We were able to see Jan this weekend. His is so amazing, and Gods hand in his life and on his heart was so évident. He even called the cabin the next day to say thanks, his trach was capped and he is now able to fully talk. God is so good.
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Mothers Day Fun

We enjoyed a relaxing day in the sun north of Fort Mac. Jake enjoyed playing in the dirt while mom dirt biked around. And what outing would be complete with out hotdogs?

Mel

Spring Days

A few photos of event over the last weeks... M