Well, as I feared, Cody has taken a turn.  Wednesday he started to get a little less "on" - a little more whiney and distant.  And yesterday the seizures hit.  Three horrible ones.  Then 2 more overnight and 2 so far today.  Not sure what's up - his tummy is really gurgly so I suspect some gastro problem may arise.  Luckily we had our nanny overnight both nights - although I still get up when he has seizures because there are some big decisions to make based on how he's doing.  But at least she was there to help me in the morning the last 2 days.  I am so grateful for this emergency respite - it will be such a bummer when it's gone.  Shoshannah and I have some good talks in the wee hours of the morning.  Even at 2:45 am, when it's "my" night to sleep because she's here - I am able to rush into Cody's room - hold him and pray for him - give him medicine - and lay with him till he falls back asleep.  Only to have him wake up for the day at 5:30a.  On no sleep, I used to be such a bear in my 20's and 30's.  But one more gift that Cody's illness has given me is that I just understand what's before me.  I can't be a bear.  I have two kids who need diaper changes, feedings, cradling, loving.  And the mom in me kicks in.  And when Cody finally takes a half hour nap later that morning - and Casey goes down at the same time - I am able to lay down with Cody and just praise the Lord for the gift of this half hour.  I literally laid there and just felt Cody's head on my shoulder, snuggled up close to him, and recited all that I'm grateful for:  for this quiet moment...for help this morning with the kids...for the roof over my head...the list goes on and on.  What a supernatural work the Lord is doing in me.  Teaching me the true blessings in my life and how to rise above my own discomfort through the sacrifice of praise. 

Plus, it's seriously impossible to feel dark when you look down at see Casey jamming on the keyboards - ready to have his own band!  :)

If you would, throw up a prayer for Cody's seizures.  He's doing so well developmentally right now - I pray he will get back on track soon.  Yesterday we went to another speech session with "Dan the Man" and Dan was flabbergasted at how well Cody's done in the last week!  Cody chose "swing" 100% of the time!  And when we offered him a cookie instead of his beloved "bar", he searched the room for the PEC that had his exact favorite granola bar on it and handed it to Dan - to say, "I don't want that lame cookie!  I want this!"   

That's it for now - daddy's off on a church men's retreat in the wild this weekend!  I'm so glad he gets to get away and bond.  I have someone staying with me for help.  And we made it through a whole week of no school for Cody!  One more reason to celebrate today.  He was a trooper - but quite a bit more bored than usual. 

with love,

shawna