More questions

As were are fast forwarding through “So You Think You Can Dance”, Trey grabs my cheeks and say’s, “Am I done growing?” I look back and reply, “I’m not sure”. Trey looks me straight in the eyes and says, “Maybe God did something wrong”. I look at him without a second thought and say, “No, Trey, God did everything right when he made you!”. He looked at me with a sweet grin and asks, “Is Emma growing?” and I tell him yes. Then as usual, he changes the subject and says, “I’m gonna tell those heaven guys that my name is M.J.” I kiss the sweetest cheeks that ever were and ask him, “what if I ask those heaven guys where my Treybo is and they don’t know who I’m talking about?” He smiles with a sparkle in his eyes like he’s being tricky, so I tell him I’ll ask the heaven guys “where is my Michael Trey?” and they will say, “Oh, Michael Junior, you mean M.J.?” and they will point to you, I’ll see you and say, “Yes, that’s my guy!” He giggles so hard that it tickles his insides, we hug and I sigh a sigh of belief that we got through what could have been a heart breaking moment. To me the pain goes deeper than he knows because I know the truth, but to him it’s just another question...to be a test of my strength.

Lovin' the Spa Fundraiser

Just another plug for Trey's current fundraiser...I have heard nothing but good, good,good about the Spa Fundraiser.
Images Partners Studios-Chandler Blvd and Kyrene Road, Chandler
For $50 you get:
*Mini-Facial
*Hair Cut and Blow Dry
*30 Minute Massage
*Express Microdermabrasion
*VersaSpa Tan or Brow Wax
The gift certificate expires 6months from date of purchase
Please contact Cami (602)312-5272 or call (602)961-5202
for more details or to purchase a gift card

Change in Plans

After a lot of thought and consideration, as well as going over our "pros and con" list over and over, Mike and I have some to a decision regarding Trey's knee surgery. We have decided to have it done here, in Arizona and sooner rather than later. I was able to secure the anesthesiologist I love here in Arizona and feel very comfortable with Dr. White performing Trey's 8-plate surgery. We love that the boys go to year round school but it does become difficult to schedule surgeries in regards to recovery time...we don't have any one time in the year that the kids have a long span of time off. So to try our best to have Trey walking into his first day of 1st grade, we scheduled to have Trey's surgery June 7th instead of June 28th...school starts July 25th.
Dr. White was very animated with Trey and even put him on his lap to show Trey exactly where is 8-plates would go into his knees. Trey of course thought it was cool to be drawn on but really didn't "get" the concept of surgery. Trey was only concerned about getting a shot which we told him he wouldn't have to get. Even though I told him many times that he wouldn't need to get a shot, when the nurse came around the corner to take him back to get x-rays done of his knees, Trey looked at me as if to ask again, "Is she going to give me a shot?" I told him he was going to get pictures taken of his leggies and to stand tall...Trey smiled and so did I knowing that this time was going to be easy on all of us.

We are planning to stay the night at Phoenix Children's Hospital the day of surgery for recovery from the surgery and rest from the commotion at home. We are praying that this procedure will eventually straighten out Trey's knock knees and alleviate pain from his hips, knees and ankles and possibly even help him walk and run easier and if we can pray for more we would pray that by straightening out Trey's knees, he may gain an inch or two in stature...at 6 years old, Trey still stands at only 36" tall.
I know that Trey would love to hear from each and every one of you, so please leave comments on his blog or on our home email...I will be sure to read them all to him in the hospital after surgery :o)

Wrapping Up Kindergarten

5/13/2011
Mike and I met with all of Trey’s IEP (Individualized Education Program) Specialists today. The purpose of this end of the year meeting was to conduct an annual review and revision of Trey’s current IEP.
Although Mike and I questioned Trey’s OT progress, again we were told that Trey does well in the classroom and that OT is not needed at this time. I asked that another OT evaluation be done at the beginning of next school year.
Trey will continue to receive 120 minutes per month of speech therapy. We were told that he has a speech delay, (which we believe is due in part to his hearing loss and under bite) that affects his reading, letter sounds and sight word recognition.
Trey will continue to receive consultative physical therapy services as he may need assistance at any activity requiring gross motor skills which would keep him from staying consistent with his classmates.
It seemed that most of the behavior modifications (other than the obvious step stools, bike, and heightened chair in the cafeteria) that Trey required in every area were repeated directions, one-on-one assistance from his teacher and help from a peer.
Overall, we were told that Trey is able to follow classroom rules and procedures, works well in both small groups and independently, and gets along well with his classroom peers and teachers.
Each time that Mike and I have to sit and discuss Trey’s shortcomings amongst his educators, we feel deflated but not defeated. Trey does his very best to hold his own and we couldn't ask for more from him. Trey is so strong and independent and never wants to be singled out for being anything but “normal”. We are so proud of you Mr. Man!

Mother's Day

May 9, 2011

Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of a Mother's Love

MOTHER'S day...How do I describe the happiness I find in today, being given the honor of given a life to shape, and being a mother to one to love...I couldn't have been blessed with a more extraordinary title. Everything I've ever wanted and all that completes me is in these three beings being!

...and again

May 6, 2011
So again this week Trey questioned his "differences" at school and asked me why he had to ride a bike. Again he had to ask me this just as he was about to get on the bus. I explained to him that he gets more tired of walking than his friends and he said that he didn't. I asked him if he'd like to walk from his classroom to the cafeteria and he said, "yes". I asked him of he thought he could walk as fast as his friends and he said, "yes". With that, I was about to tell him that I would ask his teacher if he could try to walk a bit more and ride the trike a bit less when all of the sudden he changed the subject on me and could care less what my solution to his bike problem was...as if he had never even brought up the subject.

And again tonight as we were getting ready for bed Trey asked if he was going to grow bigger. I told him I'd hope so and he replied with, "yeah, that's why I go to the doctors everyday, everyday." I was trying to think of something to say back when he completely changed the subject and once again could care less about talking about it anymore. It was like he just needed to hear it again from me and then moved on.

Whew...can't believe that he hasn't broken down yet about these realities and that he is either so dang strong or still just doesn't 'get it' but one thing I do know for sure is that I will NEVER be ready. The way I described it to a good friend was that "these questions just keep coming at me like hail on my heart"...ouch! I believe this will never get easier, but on the contrary..only harder and harder as he gets older and this horrid disease takes more and more of a toll on his little body.

I love you angel and wish I was half as strong as you! Sad to think that when this all does hit the fan that you will be carrying me instead of the other way around...go figure!

Blind Side

May 3, 2011

So again, we all know how much Trey loves sports. I believe his favorite "sports movie" is the Blind Side...he knows every line and every fact about that movie. I also believe that he feels a bit of a connection with the little boy in the movie - SJ is so little next to Michael...as Trey is next to most. So what do I walk in on today??? Trey is being SJ and sitting on Broc's back (who is acting like Michael Oher) as he attempts to do push ups!!! I was cracking up and in an instant could see the future with our big Bubba (Broc) as a college football player with his very little brother directing his workouts on his back-haha!

Top Chef

May 1, 2011

Trey loves to spend time with me in the kitchen and if he could (or his little body would allow) he would happily assist me in cooking every breakfast I make. I let him help me cook the sausage this past weekend and other than the quick touch of a hot pan on his forehand, he was a top chef! Again, the little things bring him so much joy!