My birthday

Well, today has been just another day. However, Judy (one of our lunchladies) made me a delicious cinnamon roll, and Mike (our custodian) added a candle, but he didn't have a match to light it!

Of course, I got my standard flowers, except this time they were carnations instead of roses. Much easier on the budget!

And two of my nerdy sisters BOTH sent me the monkey happy birthday - "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, You look like a monkey, and you smell like one, too!" Mandie sang to me via voice mail, and Erica text-messaged me! What goobers!

And then there was sweet little Aidan - "Roses are red, violets are blue, I am sweet, and so are you!"

There is a birthday chat on DSP tonight to celebrate Amber Gray's birthday, and there are several others of us with recent birthdays. So everyone was to try their hand at making some birthday elements, and Amber collected them to pass out as a goodie bag at tonight's chat. I made several overlays and circular text items. This should be a good time!

Aidan's trip to Children's and Diagnosis

Here is my layout of Aidan's TS diagnosis.
Journalling reads:
Aidan has Tourette’s, but I will not let Tourette’s have Aidan. It will always be a part of him, but I will not let him be defined by this syndrome. We are learning how to control his tics with changes in his diet and vitamin supplements. I feel so sad when he asks why he can’t have a certain food that everyone else is eating, but this will be a part of the journey that lies ahead of us in the next few years. We are trying to change our eating habits as a whole family - it certainly can’t hurt us to eat more healthy foods! I truly believe that God doesn’t give a family a situation they cannot handle with His help. May He always be with us as we travel on this journey together.

“He’s My Son,” by Mark Schultz
I heard this song on the radio while travelling to Children’s Medical Center on Friday, November 17, 2006, the day Aidan was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome. Somehow, though, I remembered this song ending with God talking about His Son, Jesus. Strangely, I felt very peaceful that day*. I was expecting the diagnosis, so it did not surprise me. I accepted Aidan’s condition from that Friday until the following Wednesday, when, while picking up the kids from Cool Kids (of all places!) it finally hit me that I couldn’t “kiss it and make it go away.” While there, my angel, “Miss Eileen” took me under her wing, and begged me not to remove Aidan from the Christmas play, which was my intent. After all, I didn’t want his ticcing to ruin the play for the other parents. She assured me that it would not be a problem, and that I would actually be doing him a disservice. I reluctantly agreed, and of course, she was right. The play went off without a hitch, and only those of us involved even noticed the tics!

*In re-reading what I wrote above, I realized that Nana (my maternal grandmother, who would have absolutely adored Morgan and Aidan!) went to Heaven on the same date in 1988. She was on her star helping to bring me peace! I was moved to sobs. Thank you, Nana!

Here are the lyrics to the song, which is superimposed over the photo:

"He's My Son," by Mark Schultz
I‘m down on my knees again tonight. I’m hoping this prayer will turn out right. See there is a boy that needs your help. I’ve done all that I can do myself. His mother is tired, I’m sure you can understand. Each night as he sleeps, She goes in to hold his hand. And she tries not to cry As the tears fill her eyes. Can you hear me? Am I getting through tonight? Can you see him? Can you make him feel alright? If you can hear me, Let me take his place somehow. See, he’s not just anyone. He’s my son. Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep. I dream of the boy he’d like to be. I try to be strong and see him through. But God, who he needs right now is You. Let him grow old, Live life without this fear. What would I be Living without him here? He’s so tired and he’s scared. Let him know that You’re there. Can you hear me? Can you see him? Please don’t leave him. He’s my son.

Here is another layout I created about the time we spent in the Children's Play area at the hospital.
Journalling reads:
November 17, 2006
On the way to see the doctor at Children’s Medical Center, we passed
the Children’s Play Area. Of course
Aidan wanted to stop and play, but we didn’t have time. So I told him we would stop back after our appointment. Aidan played contentedly for a long time.