So Long, Farewell

Due to several reasons (which I won't get into too much now), today was the end of an era.

Today, the twins had their last day Children's Respite Care Center. They have gone there for almost 5 years, every day. 5 years. They have in so many ways grown up there.

We shared our 1st birthday here...

 We got loved on here...

We practiced standing here...

We learned about books here...

We started to love art here...

We played dress-up with friends here...

We played here...

We made first best friends here...

We were serious and goofy here...

We had our first field trip here...

We had special snacks here...

We had teddy bear picnics here...

We laughed and smiled here...

Dear CRCC,

You have played such a huge role in our lives. You were the answer to questions when they were so young and still so very tiny. You loved them, cheered them on and rooted for them - and did the exact same thing for me. You listened, helped, problem solved, and cared for them. You helped them learn to crawl, walk, talk and eat...and do so better than they ever were supposed to. They have excelled and you helped steer them. 

You nursed them when they were so tiny, through so many procedures, hospital stays, ER visits, and new medicines and diagnoses and helped make them well again. And every time you helped heal them, you unknowingly helped heal me too. 

You,all of you,  are a sweet, caring, happy place for us and you will always be. I don't know how you being to thank someone or explain how grateful you are when they take such wonderful care of you and your children. All of you are like our family. Thank you will never be enough. 

Until we come back to visit....

Amy

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of love rushes in.
-Kristin Armstrong

January Sunshine (and few updates)

In the midst of all the crazy lately, Payton seems to be responding to her infusion therapy. They told us it would be 3 months before anything was decided. Well 3 months out and she hasn't had any infusions in 2 months. Her numbers are inching up little by little and we've been able to back off of her magnesium and cyclosporin. Yay! And I don't have to give her Neupogen shots at night any more - fingers crossed it stays that way. She does NOT like having to get her pokes at home.

Saturday we spent a few hours at the zoo. The sunshine and fresh air felt good. And we got to see the new baby giraffe who is soooo cute.

Tonight, Parker got upset about having his gtube. This topic is coming up a lot lately and seems to be a major source of anxiety for him. Tonight he wanted to know what super hero has one. Since not everyone has a gtube, and not everyone has super hero powers, they must be kind of like the same thing. So if anyone has some ideas for a super hero with a gtube, let me know!

Payton tonight had a breakthrough. As she saw a minute of the start of the Miss Universe pageant, she went on like this -
"Aren't those ladies so beautiful. I want to be like that when I get older and wear a fancy dress like that. But I don't know what I'm going to do! I want to be an animal doctor, a doctor for kids, a zookeeper, a firefighter and work in the clinic. I don't know how I'm supposed to do all of those things if there is only one of me!!"

Changes...big changes...are happening soon. Stay tuned!