Quiet Week

Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbor on our knees.

-- Charles Brent

Things are quiet here at the Noble house. I really like quiet. After all the heartbreaking week with Conrad last week, we are ready for some peace and quiet.

Tomorrow the littlest baby has his PT evaluation and begins his PT. This has been a long time coming since October when he came to live with us. I must say he has made huge strides the past several weeks with his gross motor skills. He is able to sit up for a few seconds on his own. He is also able to roll from his back to his stomach finally but he is unable to get his arm out from under him. I am so thankful for the progress he is making. I hope by getting into therapy we can speed up his progress.

Next week he has his GI appointment to see what is going on his multiple issues. I am hoping we can figure this out and make him more comfortable.

Things are coming together with his care which makes me happy. It has been a long road but well worth it.

Please keep my friend Dona and her husband Kevin in your prayers. They welcomed their third and final baby into the world yesterday. I can't wait to see her later tonight.

In the next post I will share the incredible thing the Childwatch at our Y did for our family. God is always truly at work in our lives every day.

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

Kyle and Conrad were reunited on Thursday afternoon. I am sure Kyle was there to great Conrad and the two were off. I wonder if Conrad knew what to think of Kyle with legs, no tubes and endless energy things Conrad never witnessed her on earth.

I am sure Conrad shook off his amazement when he realized he was running and jumping without pain which he had not done in a long time. I am glad the dymanic duo are back together but still a little jealous that Conrad is the first to be reunited with Kyle.

Conrad's death this week has made everything else that has happened this week to be covered in clouds. We moved through the week like we were in a fog. I am sure which was worse waiting for Conrad's demise or his actual passing. Both sucked but each came iwth its own suffering and mental baggage.

The house is quiet without Conrad and Cale, Kelsey's dog, seems lost. She keeps wandering the house looking for Conrad.

This week brings Kelsey's first school dance. I am not sure if Rich and I are ready for this. When did our baby girl become old enough to attend a dance. Rich and I are chaperoning the dance which Kelsey is none to pleased with but they did not have enough chaperone's and we figure it was a great way to meet some of the other parents. It never occurred to us that this would allow us to attend her first dance-lol!!!!

Today we went out a bought a skirt for the dance. The theme is Hawaiian and we found the perfect skirt but after a lot of drama and trips to the dressing room we did not find a shirt.

Enter wonderful Cousin Theresa. She is going to take Kelsey shopping on Wednesday for a shirt and shoes. She has even volunteered to come over Friday night and do Kelsey's hair. I truly appreciate that as I am barely able to make my hair presentable. I am sure Theresa will have Kelsey looking like the beautiful girl she is inside.

I will take pictures and post over the weekend. That is if I can get Kelsey to let me take pictures of her. She is going through a phase where she doesn't want her picture taken.

Conrad

Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence. -- St. Augustine of Hippo

Sad news in the Noble household. Kyle's service dog Conrad is very ill.

For those of you who may not remember Conrad has been sick for over a year. Conrad became very ill on Kyle's one year angelversary. He started to have seizures and spiked a high fever. He was rushed to an emergency vet clinic. Conrad survived but was diagnosed with a rare disease-primary parathyroidism. In other words, Conrad suffers from low calcium levels which causes seizures. Conrad received IV calcium for a while and then was weaned to oral meds. As a result of the seizures and high fever his kidneys took a hit. Conrad started on IV fluids about 6 months ago. He had been doing well

Conrad went into acute renal failure this past week while we were on vacation. In true Conrad and Kyle fashion, Conrad's labs look much worse than he did for a few days. Unfortunately, Conrad is unable to keep any food down and he is in pain.

We brought him home and he climbed up on the bed and snuggled with Kyle's "Beary". After that brief period of being perky, Conrad has started throwing up again and does not move unless coaxed. We have scheduled an appointment with the vet tomorrow evening to have him put to sleep.

It kills us to do this but we do not want to see him suffer. Conrad was Kyle's constant companion and best friend. Conrad was content to lie with Kyle for hours snuggling him and entertaining him. After Kyle passed away, Conrad went through a depression as his purpose in life was no longer around.

I know that Kyle will be thrilled to have Conrad with him. I am a little jealous that Conrad is the first to be reunited with Kyle. Losing Conrad is like losing another piece of Kyle.

Please keep us in your prayers as we say goodbye to Kyle's best companion.

Vacation Fun

The world says, The more you take, the more you have. Christ says, the more you give, the more you are.

We continue to have a wonderful time here in Hilton Head. Life here runs at a much slower tempo. It has been nice to be on vacation and not have to get up early and run from one amusement park to the next.

Tuesday we rented a pontoon boat and went dolphin watching. I posted pictures on Facebook. The 9 month old loved it and promptly fell asleep for the entire 2 hour trip. The 22 month old on the other hand did not like it. She sat on my lap most of the trip. She was able to relax and enjoy the ride once we saw the dolphins. By the end of the trip she was sitting on her own but when we asked if she wanted to go on another boat ride she said "no, thanks".

Wednesday we spent the day in Charleston. Kelsey LOVED the carriage ride. The 9 month old once again liked the movement and slept through the entire thing. The 22 month old enjoyed the carriage ride a lot more than the boat trip. She kept calling the horse "doggie" which made everyone laugh. Rich and I enjoyed all the history we learned. After the carriage ride we spent a few hours walking around. The weather was perfect and the kids happy.

Today, Rich and Kelsey went deep sea fishing. Unfortunately for them they did not catch anything and neither did anyone else on the boat. The babies and I spent the morning shopping. I came to the realization that I am too old to go shopping with a 22 month old and 9 month old on my own. You should never go shopping when the kids out number the adults. I was able to buy a few things between having the 22 month old take off her shoes without me knowing, thankfully, I found them in the first store I checked, and the 9 month old having a poop explosion.

Later in the day we caught up with Kelsey and Richard for lunch and more shopping. We cut our shopping excursion short so Kelsey could get back to the hotel to hang out with her new friends. We have not seen much of her in the evening. She spends the day texting with her friends planning what they are doing in the evening. When did she become such a teenager?

We are sad that our vacation is quickly coming to an end. While I will miss the wonderful weather and slow paced days, I will be happy to be in my own bed and amongst family and friends.

Please pray for all our friends that are still waiting on organs. Remember to sign up to become an organ donor. Also, please donate blood.

Easter

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith. ~Author Unknown

We had a wonderful Easter here in Hilton Head. We arrived in Hilton Head on Saturday afternoon. The weather was wonderful and we walked along the beach and had dinner on the beach listening to a band. The 22 month old had fun dancing to the music. 9 month old was not impressed and promptly fell asleep.

Sunday we attended Mass at the Catholic Church down the street. The church has soo many visitors that they offer a Mass every 15 minutes in various locations on the church grows over 4 hours. The service we attended was packed. We had to separate to find seats. The 22 month old and I sat together and were next to a family from Akron and in front of us a family from Warren. Same Ohio world.

After Mass we came back to the condo and the 22 month old participated in the Egg Hunt at the property. She had a great time and got lots of candy. A nice gentleman gave the 9 month old several eggs as he slept thru the egg hunt.

After naps, we headed out for an early dinner and shopping. We discovered the 22 month old LOVES prime rib. She ate at least half of mine. She also loved the strawberry dessert. At least we know she has good taste.

We spent several hours windowing shopping. I have seen soo many turtle things, it is unreal. I only bought a sea turtle eye glass case for Kelsey. I am waiting to make the rounds to all the stores before I decide on the t-shirts and knickknacks for me.

Today was rainy and we hung out. Kelsey and I took a water aerobic classs before the rain moved in. I was afraid the class would be full of old ladies but I was the second oldest in the class. The other three people were easily in their twenties. I am not sure when I changed from being one of the youngest to one of the oldest.

Tomorrow we are going to rent a pontoon boat and go look for dolphins. Kelsey is excited about this and I am sure the babies will enjoy it also.

Wednesday we are spending the day in Charleston. Kelsey has always wanted to take horse drawn carriage ride. She does not know but we have arranged a private carriage ride that will last several hours and take us through most of old Charleston. I am sure we will have a great time.

Discerning God's Will

We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.

Another busy week for our Noble Adventure. It is hard to believe it is Wednesday already and that we are leaving for Hilton Head in 48 hours. Will we be ready?

Of course we will be ready or at least as ready as we ever are. The good news is that we aren't going to a foreign country so if we forget anything we can easily find a Target or Wal-Mart. I am glad I have finally come to this place in my life that I don't pressure myself into thinking I have to remember everything and that if I don't the world will end. Unfortunately, it took me 40 plus years to figure that out.

A cross roads has come upon in this journey. We need to make a decision and that is not always easy for us. We are trying to be quiet while trying to pack and get ready for a week long vacation and discern God's voice.

A good friend has helped me start processing all the information. I admit it, I tend to make decisions based on emotion. I have a hard time separating my emotions from the facts. My friend was great at breaking it down to black and white.

Her most inuitive advice was have you had any signs? She believes as do we that GOD will lead us where he wants us to go we just need to be still and listen. I tend to want MY way and ignore the doubts or the LOUD voice of God.

When we got the call about Kyle, we KNEW that he was OURS and meant to be ours. We are not feeling that this time. There isn't that sense of peace yet how do we say "NO'" to a child in need of a home especially a child with medical issues who will have a hard time finding a home.

This same friend said "Maybe you are a stop along his journey and NOT his final destination". Maybe by talking about him if he is not meant to be ours we will help him find his TRUE home. If you know anyone who is interested in adopting a child with medical issues let me know.

Please pray that we are able to truly discern God's will.

Unexpected Blessings

Faith makes it possible, not easy.

Rich and I are attended the Nationwide Children's Hospital Volunteer recognition brunch yesterday. This was the first year we attended but we were asked to go as we were selected as Volunteer's of the Month for September. We were truly honored by the award. The hospital has done so much for our family. They cared and ministered to not only Kyle but our entire family. We can never repay them for all the did to us.

We were truly suprised and humbled when we found out we were selected as Volunteer's of the Year. I couldn't help but cry as Lindsay read the nomination letter out loud. We feel honored to help out other families. The fact that we can be there for another family that is why we do it. The hospital staff is great but there is a different type of comfort and hope that comes from talking to a family that has been there.

It is often said that it is better to give than receive and when it comes to volunteering at NCH that is definately true. We get back far more than we give.

Immediately after the brunch we headed to the Leave A Mark Easter Egg hunt. For those that might not remember, LAM is the church that Pastor Steve of Biker Sunday started. Pastor Steve has a special place in our heart. Grandma Noble was kind enough to take the kiddos over and we joined her after the brunch.

God was showering blessings on our family, as the 22 month old found the golden egg and won a bike. When we got there she was on stage with Kelsey getting her picture taken with her new bike. I must say that she was just as happy with the candy in the other eggs and the chance to decorate Easter cookies.

We were able to spend a few minutes with Pastor Steve. He truly is a remarkable man. The hunt included a special section for children with special needs. Oh how Kyle would have loved to participate in an egg hunt.

On the illness front, the 9 month old is feeling much better. He was diagnosed with Influenza type A on Monday. All that lingers is his cough. The 22 month old now has a cough and runny nose which she so kindly passed along to me. We are praying that Kelsey and Rich are spared and that all of us are healthy by the end of the week.

Friday we head to Hilton Head. We are slowly trying to pack for the trip. I have the babies packed and Kelsey is mostly done. My goal is to pack for myself tomorrow.