The last few days

The last day in the kitchen we were all trying to get rid of our food and make a couple of last dishes by combining a little of this with a little of that.  It was the first time Brody had a taken an interest in the boys around him.  I think Hudson was trying to Steam roll him(A move from Strange Brew, which we watched) and Ryan was trying to take his plastic bag away from him.  Brody's favorite toys consist of plastic grocery bags, or diaper wipe bags, he's real tough to shop for at Christmas,  "Look what I got for you, yes a bag from Target."  Hey he's a simple man,  anyhoo, it was really nice to see him interacting in some fashion with the other boys.  He did a fantastic his last few days.  Unfortunately, all of the kids had gotten sick within the last week and were at various stages of throat, stomach or lung problems.  I think Brody has a sore throat he's refused to eat the last 4 or 5 days, but he's still getting plenty of fluids and keeping a smile on his face.

The last day he received his improvement video a print out with his progress, and a written report to help continue the therapy at home.  As I mentioned before, the miracle from coming is hard work and consistency, just like anything else.  I was impressed with Brody's determination and his ability to try everything.  I always, wonder if he's a 4 year old stuck in a 7 month old body or a 7 month old stuck in a 4 year old body.  With the eyes and looks he was giving the teachers and myself. I'm pretty sure the kid has a wicked sense of humor and knows exactly what he's doing.   He would play the ladies.  I swear he probably got 50 kisses a day.  One time I recall switching out with Hudson(sometimes the kids would work better if they had someone knew helping them); they were all sitting and holding onto a bar in front of them.  So, as I was working with Hudson, Patty was sitting next to Brody,  not his favorite exercise.  First, he started to look up at her with those big brown droopy puppy-dog eyes and smile, and she finally caved in and gave him a kiss, then he would move his head towards her again and get another smooch.  Finally, I glance over and he is locked eye to eyer with her and has his head resting on his shoulder.  You know darn well he did the whole thing just to get a rest in by putting his head on her shoulder, but what're ya going to do, is sure was cute.

It was hard to say good bye to the families that were at the camp.  It's strange for five weeks we ate meals, shared food, diapers, diaper wipes, and a whole house together then just as quickly as it came together it evaporated even quicker.  The goodbyes were tougher on me then Brody, but I felt so bad for Hudson him and Ryan played all the time together and he was not a happy camper when it was time to say goodbye to Ryan.  I think Brody was sad to leave but even happier to be heading home.  I mentioned he would be seeing Jiji, Leah, Ari, Ryan and mommy soon and he started to smile.  Can't wait to see everyone and get back to the same old routine, something to be said about that!!  I think I read in one of my books that I finally received, something like this " a rich man knows he can always take time to make more money, but he can never buy more time."

Wicked Tuesday down!!

Yes, I know the last few blogs have been mainly about me and instead of the main attraction but remember this is a journey that we're all on and unfortunately, or fortunately you get my perspective with no filter.  It's very rare that a person can freely express him or herself without much feedback or influence from their prospective audiences.  So there! Let's get going!

 So last night after dinner I did see/learn about a newer device that is similar to the blue bulb suctions that we use to clean out noses/ ears, etc.  Now for the faint of heart skip to the next paragraph(  Ann if you're reading this please skip ahead, don't want you to get sick).  Anyways, I've never seen anything like this and neither has Brody.  It's a device used to help clean out your nasal passages. No it's not a Neti pot.  This device has two pieces one goes up the unsuspecting toddler's nose the other to a filter or catch as you might call it, with a hose coming out the other side. Yes, you guessed correctly that other piece fits into your mouth.  You suck the gross stuff out of the kids nose into the trap, which I'm told captures all the goo!  Huh! So I watched as one of the gals in the house swore by this device.  I suppose it worked but she seemed awfully thirsty the rest of the night :)  I've seen and done a lot of things for my kids, not sure I want to suck the snot out of their noses.  I'm just not that kind of guy I guess!  Everybody's gotta draw the line somewhere.

Tomorrow we shoot the final video and have the exit interview.  No class, which is probably a good thing, most of the kids are recovering from being sick and class is really hard on them.  I'm really looking forward to hearing what the teacher thinks we can do to continue to improve Brody's well being and what we can expect from him.   His strength has gotten so much better in such a short period.   This has not only been a journey for Brody in regards to strength and faith, but one of kindness and love.  He has felt everyone's compassion and prayers these last 5 weeks.  Brody would like to thank all that have followed along on this journey here and for the many prayers you have sent his way.  So, this is just the first of probably many trips and adventures we'll have as he progresses, and we thank all of you for coming along with us.  I hope we've been able to share with you our love for one another, and the joy this little boy has brought to our lives. His birth year had many challenges on our family, and for himself, but he has persevered through it all and is now one happy little boy.

This camp was something that we spoke about a year ago before deciding to come.  I'm glad the timing worked out the way it did allowing me to come and see first hand his progress and development.  As I said before, this isn't the first therapy/trip he's been on and probably not the last.  We have heard from  lot's of professionals, doctors, therapists,  evangelists, self-proclaimed seers, and a few others as to Brody and his potential.  In the end they were all pretty much right:  he'll do as much as he is willing to take on, and we'll see.    At one point I spoke with a gal from church and she told me that Brody was brought into our lives to help us get to heaven!  Never thought if it like that. I do have to say at four he's the only kid I can think of that probably has never sinned, pure as the driven snow!! Anyways, I always thought we were supposed to help show our kids the way?  But I think she was right he's helped myself and our family become more open and loving to one another, and more accepting of others.  Now mind you, we take a lot of what we hear with a grain of salt:   we've also heard from a psychic, who told us he'd be walking soon but then said Sascha would have child number 6 shortly(YIKES), we also attended a revival  in Hillyard, we tried cranial sacral therapy, and now the hyperbarics.   Yes, we've tried and been through a lot, but I can tell you this.  We will have a great time on this journey and it's only the beginning, and yes we will do some other treatment or unapproved therapy in the future and I'm sure I'll embarrass myself in some way, but in the end  we will try!!

Someday ask me about how the cranial sacral therapy went if you haven't heard?  The gals here sure got a great laugh about that one.  Thanks again and I'll see everyone real soon!  BTW major storm coming tomorrow, can't wait!!