...And They're Off...

You know. It's an expression "they" use at the horse races. Yeah, actually, I've never been to any horse race in person. Yeah. And honestly when we rented the DVD of that "wonderful" Seabiscuit movie, I fell asleep in the middle (more like after the first few scenes) of it since we had Bitty Twins who were maybe a year old, making sleep in short supply, very fleeting at best, and an uncontrollable consequence every time I sat for longer than 15 minutes. Having said all that, I (of course as a little girl) love National Velvet with Liz Taylor (of course on TV as a movie special - I am only 38 years old) on which I base my familiarity with the saying, "...And they're off..." Ha!

Well? Yes, hang in there with me on this one. "...And they're off..." Some of you with kids started back to school this past week; although, we started three weeks ago. Anyway, I heard that some mommies had tears (and some weeping as my neighbor described his wife) as their youngest bolted through the starting gate. And in some cases, mommies cried as they lovingly pushed their youngest needing physical encouragement (or really booted the kid to the curb as my friend put it) into the starting gates. Each new student beginning the twelve year race towards getting an education, starting with the gate of kindergarten. "...And they're off..." It signifies the beginning of football season, which Cam's music therapist refers to as "the best time of the year!" She attended the lesser texas university, which to no great importance has won a couple of national titles in recent years. "...And they're off..." It also describes the life of Ethan's new third grade teacher as she begins her first year at CCA, back to teaching after a hiatus of having some kids -she has five total. Hmph. Anyway, I can imagine that her alarm clock each morning sounds much like the firing of a gun startling the horse and her jockey and signaling the beginning of the daily race to balance a new job, home, five active children's schedules, and a supportive husband.

What does the saying signify to us? There is significance for us, too, just in a different way from the others. "...And they're off.." You know our youngest are twins. And although Twin A has begun first grade, Twin B remains home with me a second year to home school, to go to therapy, and to visit doctors. Honestly, my tears are from the bitter-sweet that comes from having twins whose paths are no longer on the same race track that the two had shared. The bitter-sweet comes from one healthy twin beginning her race with a much different pace from her twin brother whose pace has been slowed by verbal apraxia, tethered cord syndrome and possible brain damage. "...And they're off..." As Autumn approaches, football season leads to cold and flu season threatening the health of our Aly as her immune system tries to fight and struggles to win, much like our beloved Aggies during recent failures to recover the glory of a winning football season. Thus, it also marks for us at the end October the season of isolation as we try to protect Aly's very life by keeping her quarantined at home until February. "...And they're off..." It also describes the firing of my alarm clock "gun" each morning as I sprint out of bed in a race to balance my life which is why I might understand the fatigue Ethan's new teacher has from her race. Only my fatigue is from a very different race as I try to balance the reality of doctor's, medicines, medical testing, nurses, therapy, school district, teachers, medical bills, insurance company, illnesses, and disabilities with the normalcy of home, home school, five children's very active schedules, and a supportive husband.


"...And they're off..." Can't we all identify with this saying as we look into our lives as a race that each of us yearns to win?


...And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1&2


We may have different race tracks, we might have different paces and speeds, but we can all be first place winners at the end of the race! "...And they're off..." Oh! Just to be in the winner's circle with the Author of life, the Savior of life, and the Sustainor of life is motivation for me to finish the race!


"...And they're off..." Help us endure the next "leg" of our race by encouraging us with your cheers, your prayers, as we embark on another month-long track filled with doctors appointments, medical testing, and diagnosis seeking/treating. Early this week Cam sees the neurologist, and later in the week Cam will be sedated for the Level T3 MRI at Medical City. We will schedule Cam for an EEG (testing for seizure activity) while Aly also may need additional testing this month yet to be determined by doctors. Each week in September, Aly visits with a specialist: orthopedist, cardiologist, neurologist, and endocrinologist. Our hope is to win the race, but we have to finish this and possibly many more race tracks before getting the blue ribbon. Thank you in advance for your encouragement, and we'll update at each of the "water stations" as we stop to get a drink and a quick rest. M&R7

Boomer's Boy: Logic 101

Lessons 2-4


"When his favorite boy leaves every morning for school, Boomer will enjoy any one's attention." The children had a wonderful first week in school/home school. While Ethan, Kas and Mason were at CCA and in addition to our school lessons and therapy, Cam and I were "substitute dog walkers and dog lovers." You must understand: Out of all R7, Cam and I are the least likely candidates for this job. Sadly, Boomie had to "burrito" himself into the cover off the grill to feel the "love" he was missing. Hm! Do you think he also enjoyed the lingering smell of grilled steak and chicken?

"Waiting all day to lick a face and get a belly rub will bring a Boomer to the brink of tears." Boomer whined with anticipation to see his boy, hardly able to contain himself long enough to lick Ethan's face so Boomer's tongue landed on Kas and Mason, too.

"When your favorite boy blows in your ear after he's been gone away a long day at school, blame your foot and give it a nibble." Funny the things a beloved boy can get away doing! Even Cam felt pity for Ethan's dog and pretended to be Boomer's (dog)friend, ready for a nap under the table. These two spent time together doing "doggy" things.


Like I said, it's been a great week and I took a ton of pictures. Look for the slide show and enjoy all the funny shots, especially of Boomer!

By the way, we did get results back from the bone scan. Aly must see the orthopedist for answers as the scan showed a concentration of contrast in the right hip. This could indicate several things: arthritis? fracture? infection? Who knows at this point? So add another specialist to our agenda for next month.

Also, everyone has been well! Hallelujah! Thanks for checking on us! Really, thanks for praying for us. I'll keep y'all updated, M&R7

A Rainbow

Our Aly had an amazing day! Honestly, I predicted a much different scenario after four(including me)of R7 have been so sick for so long and after Aly had not slept any the night before we left for testing. Frankly, I had a minor "break down" after I showered, freaking out at William as he dressed for work and as we rushed frantically to awaken sleepy children!

And in spite of all the rain pounding down upon us for (what has felt like) most of this summer, yesterday there was a rainbow! Everything went smoothly. Aly really could not have done a better job! Even after no sleep, Our Aly smiled and giggled when we dressed her and loaded her onto the van lift early yesterday to arrive at the hospital by 8:15am. The staff was caring and considerate, not rushed and short-tempered. Nurse Susan worked to find a decent vein and prepped Aly for the IV by placing warmed blankets over her and checking her hands and feet for the best possibility. She gently spoke with Aly as she poked and placed the IV in Aly's foot the first try!

They gave us a room in which Aly could watch videos and lay comfortably while we waited for three hours for the contrast to "work." Then when Radiologist Steve returned to take us to the scanner, he explained that Aly might need a catheter in order to empty completely her bladder before the scan could begin. I guess she heard this; by the time we entered the testing room, she already had relieved herself! What I thought would be impossible came next. Aly peacefully reclined on her back and lay still for more than an hour while the huge machine scanned different parts of her bones. William arrived from work at the perfect time. We held her hand and she sleepily watched me, adding occasional smiles as she kept herself very still with very little help from us. When we finished, she proudly smiled and squealed, not falling asleep until the early evening hours.

What a gift to receive a rainbow! Just when we were soaked and the puddles were becoming more like wading pools, Aly's day at the hospital became an unpredictable and most unlikely place for a rainbow! Oh boy did we need it!

When the [rain]bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature... (Gen 9: 16)


Thanks for all your prayers. This rainbow was such a delight! What a nice way for the Lord to remind me of His promise that He really does love and treasure Aly as much (and even more) than we do. Really, thanks for checking on us. I'll post with results when we get them, M&R7

Sun outside - Rain Inside

It seems impossible! UGH! For several days now, my stomach has been at the mercy of the sea and its tide. Cam continues to struggle with it as well. Instead of a funny story or a heart-felt thought, I just have enough energy to muster a prayer list. Thanks so much for interceding on our behalf as our family struggles to get through the lingering storms.

1. Cam is still very sick.

2. He possibly had a seizure in the middle of the night, waking us (he has been sleeping between William and me) with uncontrollable shaking and seizure-like symptoms that lasted for almost three minutes. He never really awakened and comfortably slept the rest of the night. We left a message with the neurologist.

3. Cam has a sleep study scheduled for the end of this month.

4. Cam needs another MRI. Until October, Cook Children's does not have this MRI with the higher intensity and more modern technology. We're not sure if there is a bigger "rush" on this test, especially since Cam had a seizure.

5. Aly cannot get this "bug" as it lasts and lasts during which her fragile health might not be strong enough to persevere, especially with tachycardia and thyroid issues.

6. Aly gets a bone scan on Friday which takes all day, which means getting an IV and which requires she lay "uncomfortably" in order to conduct the test.

7. Aly will see a new endocrinologist and a cardiologist next month, along with a recheck with her neurologist. Of course, she continues to struggle with tachycardia(racing heart rates), thyroid (hair falling out, sleep issues) and seizures.

8. Aly's blood work shows she might have a toxic level of her seizure medicine and her TSH is still elevated.


Is anyone else out there tired of me saying it as much as we have become tired doing all of it? Let's remember that our family has spent the last two weeks with stomach virus; poor Cam continues to struggle with the stomach bug even this afternoon. And now I've been sick? William is a trooper. Yesterday, my mom defied all her common sense exposing herself to our sickness and spent the day helping us! Really, Thanks MOM! I am praying for your health!

School starts in a few days. Sadly, we have spent the summer dealing with extra medical issues and the last two weeks dealing with "Chuck," the unfriendly stomach virus. Maybe, this weekend the medical issues can be forgotten temporarily and our unwelcome house guest will vacate!

Hope y'all have not had any unruly visitors either. Thanks for checking on us. I'll try to update as this weather continues to pound us, M&R7

Rain, Rain, Go AWAY...

Yeah! You heard me say it! Even though the rain outside is a wonderful break from the unbearable heat in Texas, I would enjoy less "weather" inside the stomachs of the R7 boys! Yes, all of the R7 boys (excluding Daddy for now) have experienced firsthand siren-sounding tornado tummies with exploding tsunamis! The devastating "weather" claimed its third victim as Cam has struggled for two days with a level 5 hurricane and its thunderstorms. UGH!!! Poor Guys!

To distract everyone while we deal with this weather, I recommend reading this blog (click on blog) written by a wonderfully accomplished woman whose voice remains strong in spite of the overwhelming challenges her body faces daily. She's a role model for many young women. Actually, she truly is an inspiration for everyone.

I hope you enjoy her latest post, "A Life with a Purpose." By the way, thanks for keeping up with us. Really, thanks for keeping us in your prayers, especially for Aly as a stomach virus could be very serious for her. I'll update as the weather warrants, M&R7