I haven’t posted here in a while. Many of you know that we have had a lot on our mind the past week or so. Aiden has been tentatively diagnosed with a rare bone disorder — to go with the rare kidney disorder. Oh joy! Seriously, can my baby catch a break? If the diagnosis is confirmed, chances are he will need surgery on both legs before he can have his kidney transplant.

To be honest, I wanted to throw my hands in the air and scream at anyone who would listen, God included. But the very same day that we got this “tentative” diagnosis Aiden , once again, taught ME something.

After the long car ride to and from Dallas, he was exhausted and had spent most of the ride there and back crying because his legs hurt after long periods of time in his car seat ( the pain is apparently a side-effect of the bone disorder). He was talking on the phone to my grandmother after we finally made it back home and one of the first things he asked her was, “Is PawPaw doing okay?” Nevermind his pain, nevermind 2 rare diagnoses and surgeries and trials to come…he was concerned about the well-being of those he loves. My heart swelled. Surely God has given me a rare gem of a child. I am blessed.

Later that night, after hooking up to his dialysis machine we said our prayers. “Now I lay me down to sleep…” After the “Amen” at the end, Aiden added “Praise you Jesus.” Again, my heart was full. Full of love for this little blessing that teaches me so much. Instead of dwelling on the difficulties, he opts to Praise You, Jesus. And so….I will too.

I honestly think that my son teaches me more than any adult ever has. I pray that I am teaching him invaluable lessons along the way too.

Pray for Aiden.

We had the best time traveling to my cousin’s wedding this weekend.

Toot was a ring bearer in her wedding and he was such the little entertainer. Not only did he look adorable in his tux, but he brought his guitar and played it for anyone who would pay attention at the reception. He also danced with anyone who would dance with him, or by himself if no one was willing. At one point he hit the dance floor and had all the ladies surrounding him in a circle as he danced. He was in heaven. I have no idea where he gets it.  But, because he actually has rhythm, I am taking credit for his dancing skills.

His only mishap?

Sticking his finger in the bottom tier of the wedding cake before the wedding even started! Yep! Take your eyes off him for a second and there’s a big ol’ fingerprint in the middle of the cake. He really wanted some of that “birthday” cake!

He’s lucky he’s so cute….

But now we’re back in town and back to life, enjoying the beautiful Texas weather as Spring finally shows it’s face. Be on the look out for the next couple of weeks as I have several more fun product reviews and GIVEAWAYS coming up!

Speaking of giveaways…if you haven’t entered the Bisquick Pancake Nation Giveaway, you should! It features some great cookware and it ends tonight at 10pm CST. Enter now!!!

You may recognize the name. Anothony DeStefano is the best-selling author of  A Travel Guide to Heaven and Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To(DoubleDay). Mr. DeStefano’s first children’s book, This Little Prayer of Mine, has recently been released and I am honored to have had the opportunity to preview it with my son.

The book, aimed at teaching young children about prayer, hits the mark with ease. In rhyming fashion, we learn valuable lessons about prayer. I was most impressed by the way Mr. DeStefano intertwined lessons about choices, fear, behavior and being thankful into the story, showing children that not only does God hear and answer our prayers, but is a very present help in our everyday lives.

I cannot say enough about the beautiful illustrations, by Mark Elliott. They truly draw the reader into the story and foster the opportunity for discussion with my toddler-aged son.

My son loves this book. We have read and discussed it many times over and I am sure it will be a favorite of both his and mine for many years to come.

I applaud Mr. DeStefano for this beautifully written book. It is never too early to teach our little ones about God and the importance of prayer and This Little Prayer of Mine gives us the perfect tool to help begin these important conversations with our children.

This Little Prayer of Mine was provided to me by the author, Anthony DeStefano, in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was received.

I ran across a new blog that I really like this week, called The Girl Next Door Grows Up. When I saw that she had a fun link-up called “Feel Good Friday”, I decided to join in the fun. It’s just a little bit ironic (don’t you think) that I am participating in my very first “Feel Good Friday”  the day after having all 4 of my wisdom teeth cut out—so I don’t actually feel very good at all! LOL! Just goes to show you that I’m a fun gal—always up for something new–even if I’m not feeling 100%.

 Here are a few things that made me feel good this week:

1. My hubby taking off work to take care of me after my surgery.
2. My little man rubbing my face and telling Daddy, “I need some medicine, daddy! Mama’s got a headache!”
3.  Good friends and family checking on me.
4. Feeling loved.
5. Loving.
6. Lortab….haha, couldn’t resist throwing that one in there. Thank the Lord for modern medicine!

Have a great weekend-

Christy

Welcome to the new and improved home of Tales of the Toot!! Please bookmark our new web address: www.talesofthetoot.comand follow us on Google Friend Connect, Twitter and Facebook! If you are an old subscriber, I ask that you please subscribe to our new address so you can get all of the latest and greatest from Tales of the Toot! If you are a new friend, thanks so much for stopping by and please take a moment to connect and/or subscribe! I look forward to connecting with you all now that this move is complete!

Christy

Check your emails ladies to see if you have won the Sterling Silver “Aiden’s Cross” Pendant!!!

Thanks so much to all of you who entered, and a special shout-out to all my JJB Mama’s who have supported me and Aiden with love and prayers since Day 1 of this diagnosis.

Spread the word about AHUS. Awareness is key. We need a cure!!

"Aiden's Cross" designed by Sterling Grace Jewelry

I am so happy announce my very first giveaway!! This giveaway is awesome for several reasons: 

1.  A beautiful sterling silver pendant that retails for $58.
2.   The pendant, “Aiden’s Cross” is a specialty item designed for and named after my son, Aiden to help promote awareness of the rare medical disorder he suffers from: AHUS (Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome).
3.  Proceeds from the sale of “Aiden’s Cross” are distributed to the University of Iowa to help fund research for AHUS.

For more information about Aiden and AHUS visit the Aiden’s Cross Website. You can buy your Aiden’s Cross at the Sterling Grace Jewelry Website. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxvSBqQ5mIQ] 

Entering to win is easy! 

• First, become a Tales of the Toot follower by email and then visit www.aidenscross.com . Leave me a comment (on this blog: Tales of the Toot) telling me how you would help spread the word about this ultra-rare disorder and/or what you learned about AHUS. If you are already a follower, let me know that in your comment! This is required to enter-1 entry.

Extra Entries 

• Follow me on Twitter @AidensCross. (Please leave a comment letting me know you are a new follower or if you are already following). – 1 entry
• Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries/1 Tweet per day max credit
• Follow Tales of the Toot on FB’s Networked Blogs. Leave me a separate comment letting me know you did this. -1 entry
• Visit the Sterling Grace Website and let me know what your favorite piece is. -1 entry
• Post my giveaway on your blog. (Leave me a comment with the link) -3 entries!!
• Visit one other post at Tales of the Toot and leave a comment. -1 entry

 To receive credit for all entries please leave a separate comment/associated link for each task you complete.  

The winner will be selected by Random.org on Monday, February 1st at 2:00p.m. CST and will be notifed by email. If you are the winner, you will be given 48 hours to claim your prize before a new winner is selected. 

Thanks so much!  

Good luck! 

~Christy~

Dramatic title, huh? Maybe not- if it’s YOUR truth. As moms, we hope, dream, wish, and pray for nothing but health and happiness for our kids. From the time they are in the womb we are dreaming big for them. We are tenacious in our love, and fierce in our instinct to protect them at all costs. Is it any wonder that we are then shattered when we are told they are sick? Can we help but feel that there is no hope for all the dreams we had for them?

Let me tell you something, mama. Don’t stop dreaming.

When my sweet little boy was diagnosed with an ultra-rare disorder, I felt robbed. Robbed of the ability to kiss all the boo-boos away; robbed of a “normal” life for him and for me; robbed of the dreams that I had for my little boy. I cannot tell you how many nights I literally lay on the floor in his room, sobbing and praying and asking “Why?” And then I realized…

If I stop dreaming for him…I am robbing him….I am robbing myself. So, I looked around at the blessings, the joys, the wonders of all that he is. And, I thanked God for every good day we had and made plans to have as many of those good days as possible.

It’s not easy having a child with special needs. We don’t fall into the “normal” category, but we make it work. We’re okay with being “special”.  Today, I dream of a cure, a holiday season without a hospitalization, a transplant and a life without a dialysis machine. In the meantime: we take family trips, we play, we LIVE and we DREAM.

We have vowed to make everyday count. We will not let this disease define our family, our son, or how we live – and we will never stop dreaming.

We have spent way more than our fair share of time in the hospital over the past 2 years. Although living in the hospital is NOT my preference, it has allowed us to encounter some of the most wonderful people. Here are the 3 people you meet in the hospital.

1) The Angel — aka the nurse. This is not any or every nurse, but the one who reaches out to you. The one who loves and takes care of your child as if they were his/her own. The one that cares not only for your child, but for you. Some of the wisest words ever spoken to me were from the mouths of these angels. They are truly heaven-sent and I thank God for them. (We love you Grandma A and Debbie!)

2) The Other Mother – This is the one that has been there as long (or longer) than you. The one who REALLY knows what it’s like to live with a sick child…the one that you can hear say “Just trust God” and believe that they know what they are talking about. The only one that can get away with telling you “It will be okay”…because they know it will be okay, they have been there, they are there and they are invaluable as a source of inspiration and comfort. (Much love to you, Heidi!)

3)The Dr – I pray that you are as fortunate as we have been. We are blessed to have been surrounded by doctors who not only are excellent at what they do, but have a real heart and love for the kids they treat. Our doctors have been encouraging while remaining honest; have never given us false hope but have never given up and have laughed and cried with us. They love Aiden, they love what they do…and it shows. (Many thanks to the ICU staff of Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, the surgeons and the ARCH group…and of course Dr. Q )

If we have learned anything, it is that God is always present. On days when I just couldn’t quite feel his presence and didn’t quite know what to say God always had someone ready to minister to me in the way that I needed. I thank Him for that and feel so very blessed to call the “people you meet in the hospital” friends and family.