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It's a GOOD thing.

So, it would appear that this is the “Amy’s Eyeballs” blog. ;) Anyhow, we went to Dr. Byrd today (Pediatric Ophthalmologist).  She OFFICIALLY RELEASED us!!!!! Of course, we can come back anytime we need to, but she said that she no longer thinks we need to come every 6 months. WOOHOO!!! She said that based on Jason’s vision, she thinks that Amy is going to be just fine. :) So, we are down to just ONE specialist, ONE visit, and ONE round of testing per year. This just makes me so stinking happy. I am so thankful for Dr. Brewer who first found this problem and sent us to Dr. Sunny, and to Dr. Sunny’s nurse, who sent us to Dr. Byrd, and to Dr. Byrd, who sent us to Dr. I, and to Dr. I, who worked so hard to find out what was wrong with my baby.

I’m just a happy camper today.

Hey, Kathey, you have a BLOG, remember?

Hi. :)
Just wanted to tell every one that Amy and Jason are officially diagnosed. :) They have North Carolina Macular Dystrophy.  There is not a lot of info available for it; it's quite rare. Lucky us! Good news: They were both born with this, so their outlook is much better than was feared. Bad news: The surgery that Jason had in 2003 may have to be repeated, and Amy may need the same surgery at some point. Good news: the surgery has come a LONG way in 10 years. :)
Both of they will continue to be monitored closely. I still believe that they are in the best hands possible with Dr. I and Dr. Byrd.

In other news, we went to Disney World. It was AMAZING. :) We just had the best time. I'm ready to go back.

On June 9, we lost Daddy. That's all I have to say about that right now. I can foresee a big, emotional blog, but I'm just not ready for that yet.

Amy will start Kindergarten in a few weeks. How is that possible? She is so ready. Me on the other hand.....And Elizabeth will start 5th grade. Insane.

I know this is a short blog, especially after a long absence, but I am at work....might ought to work a little bit. ;)

THE STRIPES!!!!!

We went to a book fair this weekend. Amy saw a book that she had read at school, “A Bad Case of the Stripes”. The premise of the book is that the little girl wakes up one morning covered in stripes. The only cure is eating lima beans. She wanted it, so I bought it for her. Who can say no to a 50 cent book!

Anyhow, she had read this book at school, and knew the story. Evidentially, Elizabeth knew the story as well. Later that afternoon, they were playing outside. All of a sudden, Amy comes BUSTING in the house yelling, “Mama!!! I’ve got THE STRIPES!!!” Turns out, she bruised her hand. It was a nice shade of green and yellow. Elizabeth told her she had the stripes. Amy was in a panic. “Mama!!! I need lima beans!!!”

You can always count on your big sister to tell you the truth, you know. ;)

Will miracles never cease....

So, yesterday something happened at the Casa de Wiles that I honestly never thought I would see.

Let me give you a little bit of background:

2007-August 30-Elizabeth receives a bike (per her request) for her fifth birthday. She sits on the bike for approximately 3.7 seconds before announcing that we can give the bike to another little girl. Bike sits in green house until she outgrows it.

2009-August 30-Elizabeth once again (per her request) receives a bike for her birthday. This time, we walk the bike around the corner to a large parking lot for her to practice. We stay 1.7 minutes. We walk home, her in the back screaming at the top of her lungs, me in the front, doing my best to maintain my composure and not go YaYa on her. Bike sits in greenhouse next to other bike. We accept the fact that Elizabeth Wiles will not ride a bike.

Days and years go by. I try to accept the fact that my child will never know one of the greatest joys of my childhood, the feeling of the wind rushing on her face, the freedom of the open road. In 2010, Elizabeth discovers scooters. She rides 1,387,492 miles on her Hello Kitty scooter. Then, the scooter decides it is finished, so we buy Elizabeth another scooter. So far, I would estimate she has put 1,483 miles on it. I come to terms with Elizabeth riding a scooter. Her hair DOES flow in the wind. She CAN travel the open road (ok, from one end of the cove to the other).

This all changes a few weeks ago. Amy Hope decided to ride Elizabeth’s first bike. So, she does. She rides and rides and rides and rides and rides. Elizabeth still seems quite content with her scooter. This is fine. They circle Cardinal Cove together, over and over. They are happy.

Fast forward to Saturday night. Elizabeth brings me a permission form from school. There will be a bike safety course in April. I ask her if she wants to attend. Pardon my French, but all H-E-double hockey sticks breaks loose. She ends up in the fetal position in the corner, whimpering at the thought of getting near a bike. (ok, not really fetal, but you get my drift). Finally, she goes to her room. I go back to talk to her after she calms down a bit. I tell her my honest feelings. It’s so hard for me to think about her allowing fear to rule her life, and keep her from having fun.

A few minutes later, she comes out and says, “I think I need to learn how to ride that bike tomorrow.” That’s my girl. :)

So, Saturday night, I am praying like nobody’s business. Praying for confidence for her. Praying for strength and wisdom for me.  

Come Sunday morning, she is still psyched about this. We go to church, and come home and eat lunch. She is raring to go. We decide to start in the back yard, so that if (when) she falls, it won’t hurt like it does in the road. I walk around the yard with her a few times. Then she takes off. We move to the road. She rides away. I read something the other day about the irony of teaching your child to leave you. I kept thinking about that. Bittersweet.

So, she has ridden several miles already. She would have ridden more, but the bike set is kinda at an odd angle, and it’s pretty painful on the hiney. We’re gonna let Daddy look at that tonight.

Elizabeth has done a LOT of awesome things, and I am amazed by her on a regular basis. But, I want to say this is her greatest achievement. This is one that took the most courage. The most flat-out determination. I get teary just thinking about it.

She’s pretty special, that kid.

HEHEHE!

Bet y'all thought I dropped off the face of the earth, huh?
Well, I haven't, and my kids are still funny.

The scene: in the van this morning, on the way to school.

The players: Elizabeth, Amy, Mama, and an unsuspecting wiener dog.

Elizabeth: Look!  A Wiener Dog!

Amy: What’s a wiener not?

E: It’s a long, skinny dog, with short legs.

Mama: Kinda looks like a hot dog.

E: But it doesn’t taste near as good.

Oh, that kid cracks me up. :)