There was no

dressing up, grand egg hunt or festive array...of anything.

It was just us, managing to get dressed, managing to get a few things together and managing to have a few family members over.

Our Easter had its moments of joy, but it was a hard day. It's tough to really enjoy something when one of my children is not well.

I did manage to capture pictures that make it appear that all was well with Addie. I love my camera.

Julien had a good day.

Are you kidding?

Who wouldn't have given in to this sweet face?

I just couldn't say "no".

I am one of those shoppers that buy useless things for my children just because it is way too cheap to pass up. I will take those useless items and put them away. When my kids have had a really bad day at school or do something extra great, I will bring out one of the surprises. I don't do it often, but sometimes it is just necessary.

Well, Chunky is becoming quite the little treasure hunter.

If Addie is awake when I get dressed in the mornings, I will just close my bedroom door, give her a few things to play with and commence with my routine. Sunday morning was just horrible. She was miserable and just wanted to be held. I had no choice but to let her tough it out while I got dressed. She followed me into the closet and in all of her frustration, was trying to find anything to get into - I think in an effort to get my attention more quickly.

Well, Chunk managed to open a box that I had thoughtlessly left on the floor. Inside the box was one of those useless items. A baby that I found back at Christmas time. She was tucked away for whenever I felt the time was right.

I guess that time was then.

Addie found her and would not be deterred until she had her. She held onto the box and scooted the box all around my closet, bedroom and bathroom. I finally gave up and took them both downstairs. I knew Addie felt miserable and she didn't hesitate to show it. When we settled in the living room, Addie crawled in my lap and just cried. Not a little rotten cry, but a cry of pain. I held her for a few minutes before she was calm enough to open baby's box.

- If you notice, I still have wet spots on my clothes from her tears -

My sweet, little baby. I did feel so bad for her!

This may be offensive

and way too much information for some readers.

Well...too bad!

I've got to share!

I don't know about the rest of the world, but in our house, it seems like the bathroom and the kitchen is common meeting ground.

Last night, we - meaning all four of us - ended up in my bathroom at the same time. Julien was sitting on the side of the tub, I was reclined against the sink and Chris was standing in the doorway.

Why?

Well, it started out that we were all headed upstairs to get nightly hygiene rituals out of the way. It was time for Julien to shower, Addie to brush her teeth and then head for the bath. We didn't quite make it that far. As we were walking into my room, I asked Addie if she needed to go potty. I got my usual, "ys" (the "e" doesn't exist) and so I helped Addie to the potty. She went tee-tee like a pro and then I told her it was time to wipe since she was all done.

:)

You know what that little Monkey did? I asked her if she wanted to wipe herself...she gently took the tissue from me and did just that. She wiped herself.

Oh, DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, thank you!

Can you believe it?

This child, who would never walk, never talk and never function as a normal child...is picking up on more and more daily skills.

Can you believe it?

I can.

I am grateful to God. The miracles just continue to bless us!

What light? Where's the light?

Maybe a very dim light...

at the end of a very long tunnel.

Chunk-Chunk has had an incredibly difficult time recovering from surgery. Much more difficult than I expected. There has been no sleep (at night), no pain meds, no antibiotics, no food and minimal drink up until last night.

I owe our small victory all to Julien.

Julien's school dismissed early yesterday due to the power outage. He was home by lunch and in enough time to help me prepare an "Addie-friendly" casserole for dinner.

The day was beautiful and I was able to take Addie out for a short walk down the street and back and then around the house a few times. We both enjoyed the opportunity for some fresh air and a change of scenery.

When dinnertime came around, I expected Addie to refuse to eat just as she has every day since we left the hospital. She surprised us all by eating several bites of the breakfast casserole - nice soft smushy eggs and bread - and a bite or two of a croissant. To top that off, Julien was holding her and talking to me while I was cleaning up after dinner. I had a light-bulb moment and decided to try her meds while Julien was holding her. He had her so distracted, that she never realized that she took her antibiotic and pain meds! Woo-hoo!

My joy was short lived...the pain meds wore off by midnight and Chunk was awake again and crying.

Small baby steps, minimal progress day by day. I intend on going back to work tomorrow and hope that Addie is ready to go back to school. We may have to shorten the day and work up to an entire day. She is just so tired and has no energy.

Maybe today will be better!

I remember the conversation just like

it was yesterday.

Chris telling me that he had always imagined having a little girl who would follow him around and want to help him.

He has the little girl who wants to help...the following part will come in time.

Addie was so happy to help put her sandbox together. I handed her the screws out of the bag and she handed them to Chris. She bent down to watch Chris put them in and never got frightened by the sound of the drill. What a sweet little helper.

Later on that evening, she went out to the deck to watch Chris change the batteries in the lanterns. Addie was so proud of herself and stretched way high on her tippy-toes trying to watch what Chris was doing.

It's not a broken dream...it's a different dream.

DHR

paid us a visit....

No wait, I just thought it was DHR ringing my doorbell tonight.

Addie was having a massive meltdown because she is in pain, but refuses to take any medicine. As I'm trying desperately to talk over her and get the medicine down her precious, little pain ridden throat, the doorbell rings. I am more than embarrassed because I can't imagine how it must have sounded. Her screaming, me telling her to please take a drink and swallow.

Surely, you've all been there...right?

Thankfully, it was the owner of our local Italian Restaurant coming to ever so graciously give us a gift certificate for "Helena's Superstar". I just wanted to cry. Chris answered the door as I was still trying to calm Addie. I didn't even get to thank him.

How humiliating.

Please accept my sincere gratitude. It absolutely makes me so honored to know that you took the time to think of Addie, print this card and hand-deliver it to us.

I'm sure nobody will feel like cooking a big meal tomorrow night, so how about stopping in to Fraydo's, support our local business and make sure to tell them how kind they are!