Sunrise and Morning Tide

At sunrise, the morning routine commences. With its soft, gentle push out of beds, the morning tide washes over our sleepy heads and plants our feet securely on the floor after a long night's rest where the sea remained calm under the shinning moon and beautiful celestial life. Of course our family quietly and peacefully begins to dress and eat breakfast as each child harmoniously works together to make the process smooth and quick. Clothes on and tummies filled, we orderly climb into the big boat,van, driving with patience, assured to arrive at fish school early and with time to spare. Kisses land on each fishy forehead, not yet smelly from a full day of sitting out of the pond, and each one dives out and into the shiny waters reflecting a beautiful sunrise...

Then the alarm sounds and the REAL race against time and unhelpful children begins! Why go into such detail when the version in my dreams never includes Daddy giving our biggest fishy a vitamin (without food and more than a sip of water) which produces a show of purging, of the stomach, at the induction of our fishy into NJHS and in front of many other fishes?! Not to mention, the impending arrival, which was late, of a new nurse whose orientation began also this morning. Let's add Ethan's field trip and Kassidy's "beach" day, plus our regularly scheduled therapy, laundry, and dishes! (By the way that all occurred by 8 (EIGHT) o'clock in the MORNING) And it's easy to see how dreams should NEVER precede such mornings!

Hope your day is less "rank" and Praise the Lord that Mason has had no more vomiting since arriving at home and eating crackers. M&R7

Fish and Swine both Stink!

So we're still swimming and watching the undersea life! It appears that in addition to a second tether, Cam has a mass of tissue on the thoracic region of his spinal cord as well. We see the neurosurgeon on May 5 to get more information and explanation, if there is any. We could be in surgery as quick as the end of the next week.

Here's another major prayer request: We have cancelled any and all of Aly's appointments and will keep her out of any public venues until the swine flu epidemic has concluded. Remember how getting the regular flu could devastate her low immunity and fragile medical status? (Click here and here for some information.)Let's pray that she WILL NOT come into contact nor will she develop ANY swine flu symptoms!

Please keep those life boats ready for us; we will jump off this "Titanic" hopefully before it sinks! We are resolved to LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND! Oh! And while it's true that fish and swine have some really pungent smells, this stuff REALLY STINKS! M&R7

Some Fishey News

Smack in the middle of trying to swim to the surface of the sea after being pushed back down by the tidal wave of a pending surgery to relieve a second tether of Cam's spinal cord, our little fishes swim by us in all their brightly colored neon splendor. All of that is to say, good sights still can be seen under the sea even as we continue to swim for our very lives.

You can read about one of our fishes for yourself; Cam was featured in our local newspaper. (Click on his name to read the article.)

The biggest fish in our sea, Mason, has been named as a Texas Lone Star State Scholar and also has been nominated to The National Junior Society. Recently he earned a silver medal on the National Latin Exam and exhibited his "self portrait" in a local art competition.

For those of you who are searching the waters for us and ready to throw out the life preservers, keep your eyes peeled. We are determined to break 'undercurrent' and find the surface soon. For the moment, it seems we just got a boost of oxygen. M&R7

Under the Sea...Quick Update on the Flood

It seems that when it rains it pours...I guess that means we've been in the flood plain for about tens years now. Splash! Sometimes we feel as if we're just getting our heads above the water to catch a breath when a wave washes over us, pushing us farther underneath. Surprisingly, as much time as we've spent under water, we still have not drowned! And in actuality, we have learned a lot about scuba diving. Not the kind some of you have done in Hawaii! And, I am not sure how the under water sights compare to the world under the real sea, but the ocean of medical "reef" and special needs "fish life" have become most familiar to me and William. Although, let me be frank: We would pick a family trip to Hawaii over this flood plain any day!

I'll update as we receive more information, but it appears that Cam might need a second surgery to relieve a second tethered spinal cord. There is more to share, and I'll let everyone know when we have spoken with the doctor.

Thanks for praying! Looks like we could use a life-preserver right about now, M&R7

Overwhelmed Mom...

Howdy everybody! I started this blog last November for two reasons: To alert everyone of our urgent prayer requests and to keep family/friends updated about the "happenings" of the Rumuly 7, especially in times of need or crisis. Really, I look over the last few months and realize that our family definitely has been blessed with good health which has awarded me the enjoyment of writing stories for the blog instead of relating to everyone our special needs.

It seems time that we meet with the inevitable, so today my blog will not be a funny story but one to request intersession for our family during some recent difficult circumstances. Instead of going into lengthy detail I have decided simply to list without too much explanation specific prayer needs in hope friends/family reading our blog will lift up our family. I've included some quick links for those with time and interest. Thanks in advance for keeping up with us.

1. Safety with sedation for Cam and clear results of MRI (brain&spine) which is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, investigating further Cam's tethered cord

2. A second try to get Cam into Scottish Rite to get a specialist to examine thoroughly his feet for the possibility of partial clubbing and treatment if needed

3. Drawing blood work from Aly that includes a new comprehensive test for Rett (including finding any deletions), correction of a problem with her thyroid level (high) and testing of her seizure medicine levels

4. Coordinating a time to travel this summer to Houston to visit with the Rett Team of specialists, including a cardiologist, at the Blue Bird Circle Center for RS in Texas Children's Hospital

5. Consulting with a urologist concerning possible damage done to some of Cam's organs and any testing if needed

6. Keeping normalcy for everyone in spite of the added stress of phone calls, doctors' appointments and testing

7. Ethan's possible tic disorder not interfering with his studies or ability to not be a distraction in the classroom and seeing Dr. Owen this summer

6. Filling out the paper work to add Cam to the waiting lists for medicaid-waiver programs which take 6-10 years to receive

7. The twins have colds (Kas also has a cough) and Aly to stay healthy


These are the most pressing of my recent concerns. Will also needs prayers concerning work and availability to attend appointments with me and the children. Thank you so much friends and family. I hope to return soon to my regular blogging where I enjoy telling stories about the Rumuly 7. It seems once again that my plate is too full for my eyes.

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will answer him;
I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation...
Psalm 91:14-16


I'll update later, the overwhelmed M&R7

Aly's 10th Birthday Fireworks