All kinds of miracles

It should come as no small surprise that when we asked for prayers for a little boy who is special to Charlotte, our village rose to the occasion, lifting Austin and his family up as they go through this unimaginable time in the PICU. Please keep thoughts and prayers focused on Austin as he continues to be in the fight for his life. The latest update states that multiple invasive infections have caused severe lung damage, hindering his own capability to breath and sustain healthy oxygen saturation. There is still hope alive that the team, who is working with specialists elsewhere, can create/alter medications to help stop further spread of infection and subsequent damage. Keeping him stable and letting medications clear his lungs are key, but the family has prayed for a miracle as his lungs have been so badly damaged that they could be looking at difficult long term quality of life issues and even impact overall chances of survival. This made me think about the word miracle. I believed that really no one would want to ask for a miracle because that would seem like you are asking for a long shot, for something that isn't possible. I mean no one would want to be in a dire circumstance where they would need a miracle, right? But, I was wrong.

I now understand that there are all kinds of miracles. The ones you watch unfold before your eyes. The ones you didn't know were miracles until you look back and recall something. The ones that happen out of left field when you were praying for something entirely different but God had another idea. That unanswered prayer turned blessing. Everyday moments that might not seem all that impressive, but upon another glance from a different perspective, they are little miracles. Oh, there are countless more kinds of miracles then we realize. And we don't have to be anyone else, or do anything unusually special, except to love God and follow him in order to witness, experience, and perceive these miracles. Some miracles are bigger such as:
-there is no medical explaination that had turned up after investigating the change in Charlotte's red blood cells. They are a different shape indicating Autoimmune but all tests to confirm have come back negative. And no medical explaination for why it suddenly appears to be clearing up and self correcting.
-the doctors couldn't explain what was happening to Charlotte's lungs after her second transplant but scans showed no clear evidence of any infection however function was declining quickly and clotting factors were abnormal indicating inflammation somewhere...nor could they explain how she was recovering and pulling through that except perhaps effects of chemo led to this and with time, pain management and correct medication things improved.

We like to believe this is some of God's miraculous work. The doctors and nurses and medicine are God sends for sure. But perhaps miracles don't have to be granted for the impossible. Some miracles are smaller, case in point:
-Kids were running late for the bus today. I decided to drive them in. After drop off, we ran a quick errand to the dry cleaners and then Charlotte watched with wonder as we drove through a car wash where you stay inside your car. It's been a while for her and she didn't remember doing this ever before. She was amazed. She then had an idea: "mommy? We can get corn on cob today?" She had a craving! A quick detour to the grocery and somehow in January we found farm fresh corn on the cob. We brought it home and cooked it up. Extra butter of course! Car washes and corn on the cob were little miracles in our day that brought joy to Charlotte and a cherished memory making moment for me. I feel like I could write a chapter about little miracles that we have experienced. Life is brand new for us. Our lives changed in every way possible. The thought that cancer could be in any way shape or form be a blessing seems like a strange idea but I can tell you, we have new eyes and it's beautiful. No matter what occurs. I want Charlotte to grow up but I also know that the end game, the outcome, is only a small piece of this miraculous journey. And for now, we hope to watch God's healing hands work their magic for Austin. And then, won't the vision of him and Charlotte playing and chasing each other while riding bikes outside at a park somewhere be another sweet miracle to add to a growing collection gifted to us all by God.

Thank you for taking the time to send praying up for Austin. I never wanted to need a miracle. But I was looking at it all wrong. ALL of this around us, this life, is a miracle to us. To God, it's just another day at work. Austin can do this. Whatever he is up against, God is stronger. Please let God's will align with our prayers, and let comfort and peace surround his family as they try to patiently wait for Gods timing.

Sending super-wonder-girl powers and prayers to Austin as he Hulk Smashes this setback 

Corn on cob❤️    

Seconds! 

The wonder of the car wash while enjoying a lollipop 

From super hero to fairy princess in minutes. Thank you to Esther's friends athe Fernandez family for this adorable dress up set and book ❤️

What next?

Making lunch

Thank you to The Gilbert family, especially little 7 year old Ella, who persistently and intentionally, kept asking her mom if she could buy Charlotte this doll that looks just like her! After coming to her mother again with all her money bunched in her little hands, the family helped her give this gift to Charlotte. We witnessed pure and innocent kindness and compassion as a little miracle that will bring  so much joy to Charlotte over the years.  . 

Converted her crib into a big girl bed! 

She is so proud 

Smiles with Nana Schuey 

A special gift from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Chuck! Love these hats🌈

Family fire out time. S'mores of course! 

Morning playtime in Charlotte's bed 

Annual picture with the Christmas bear to watch how they grow up  against the bear 

Grayson finding a rainbow for Charlotte  

Playground time with her best friend Brady

Day time potty trained and 3 years old = first stick of gum😂 (That's our house rule lol) 

"How chew this gum?"

This is North Carolina: snow one day and 70 degrees the next! Love it. Charlotte building a family of snow guys eating snowball soup on the snow day 

Clinic check ups are going well! We are planning for our trip to CHOP for daily radiation treatments lasting a month up in Philadelphia. More info on that soon