New walker

Caroline was sick with a tummy bug on Fri. We were up all night. I can't believe how well she bounced back. We were able to run errands and get our cards mailed out. We shopped a little and enjoyed spending time together. Caroline is starting to say small sentences. She patted Camerons arm today and said, daddy, milk please. It was so cute and directed at him. She is funny toomwithnher expressive eyebrows. She also has a new walker that we are able to borrow and she is learning to enjoy. And manever she took four steps forward in it tonight with an audience. She was so happy and so was I.

Trip to the ER With Caroline

Well this morning was an adventure with Caroline. She has had an upper respiratory issue for the last 6 days and now it just keeps getting worse. This morning she was really having a hard time breathing. We drove her to the local ER close to the house. They did some preliminary tests and told us that she would have to be transported downtown to Wolfsons Children's hospital for further testing. Caroline got to ride in her first ambulance. We are now at Wolfsons hospital getting tests to see whyshe is having so much trouble breathing. They are ruling out psnemonia. More info to come....

Almost Fall

It is past time for an update. We have been busy with our new school schedule and other exciting adventures. The girls have adjusted to the new schedule. If you ask Carley though, homework is dumb and boring! Caroline is happy going to school everyday and has increased her activity with bike riding twice a week and practicing her gait trainer three times a week. we also have added water therapy which is amazing!!!!Our therapist wants her in the water three times a week which is a challenge for me....usually does not happen. Cameron stays busy at work. He and Carley took a trip to Greenville to see cousins, Nana and Papa. They are watching the Auburn game today! Caroline and I are relaxing at home watching Barney.
God has opened doors for me to work very part time with my degree. I am subbing at Caroline's pre-school at our church. This place makes me smile and makes me happy. Caroline is welcomed with loving arms and extra help for me! She has three teachers with ten children in her class. I have been able to meet and know most of the teachers since Caroline has been there in some capacity since she was 2. I love seeing the kids and the teachers and all the learning and singing going on....it is in my blood. I have two friends that I walk with weekly which is a huge inspiration for me to get out and be active. God has brought me special friends even though it has taken almost three years to feel at home here. I miss fall and the change of seasons every September and October.
We have had two sets of company this past month. We were thrilled to see and visit with our BFF's from Texas, Brent and Mimi came out and we did a lot of eating and laughing and having fun being friends. We try to see them every year. They are our oldest standing couple friends of ten plus years. we also have been able to see our friend , Jud, college buddy. He is in town working and we have had him for dinner. He sat for us to go on a date and we have loved having him. Cameron stays up late and talks, they went on a fishing trip and played magic trips. This makes life exciting and worthwhile as we treasure our friendships.
I have also started selling Thirty - One gifts. I am addicted to bags. I have purses and lunch boxes and mommy totes. So I am always finding what I need. I am making a little bit of money, but able to have fun and have about 2- 4 shows a month. People actually stop me and ask is that a Thirty - One bag? Why yes!!!! Here is my site:www.mythirtyone.com/kimabbott
Blessings to you for stopping by. Please pray Caroline learns to walk this year. She is capable needs stamina and motivation. We have our back brace for scoliosis and it is really terrible. For now she only sleeps in it as it keeps her trapped from moving. Please pray her spine curve does not get worse. This could mean back surgery in a few years.

Ortho Visit

Caroline has finished summer school. Carley has finished art classes. We just got back from Myrtle beach and had a lot of fun in the sand and pool. The new thing we did this summer was letterboxing. The kids loved it. it is almost like treasure hunting in a new city while creating your own family mark in a stamped notebook. We also are starting to have more doctor appointments and yearly check- ups. Caroline is four and will need her four year check. Two weeks ago we went to see the orthopedist and now will be wearing a scolio back brace in a few weeks. we will go on Monday for casting. It is one more thing on our list of woes, but hope it will aid in Caroline standing and walking soon. I can only dream and hope as it seems like it may not be a reality after four years. She is starting to wear on me physically as we have both gained weight. So I have begun gym work outs nearly every day and i need to lift weights and strengthen my body as I am her main caretaker. We are enjoying a quiet day at home. Caroline is napping and Carley is playing barbies. Cam is at work unfortunately. We are thankful for God's continued care and provision, but sure would love for our Daddy's work day to be less. We do not want to grumble and complain. God meets our daily needs and that is all we can ask for. We also sold our Durango as Cam also has been given a company car. This is another answered prayer as we need car payment money for Caroline rather than another car at this time.

Caroline is back to school.....

We seem to have been a bit more busy than the school year. I think we have been to the pool once a week and a play date with friends once a week. Carley has been taking art classes daily for three weeks. She absolutely loves them. There is a lot of planning and painting and sculpting going on. Our sweet friends also have a pool in their back yard and we have been there alot.
It is cloudy and rainy here, but we have a day planned to dress like cows and go to Chick - fil - a.
Caroline went to summer school this week and seems to be happy. This has allowed me to grocery shop and go to the dentist and spend a little time with Carley too!
Caroline plays outside, paints, plays inside the sensory room and takes a nap. I pick her up around 2:30pm. Cam has been kind enough to drop her off so we all do not have to be ready!!!!
we have an orthopedic appt coming up next Monday and a birthday next Tuesday!
Caroline is working on standing and sitting and really starting to bear weight more on her legs. She is getting therapy at school as well as private PT twice a month.
we are not having a big party this year and have hopes of starting a special needs trust for her which will allow Caroline to have the best possible care in the future if she outruns us! It is a high start up cost and we are using birthday party money toward her fund. Please be in prayer for our SSI approval. We were denied once and I have researched more information and am going to apply four times in a row and then higher a lawyer to see about obtaining financial benefits for medical care and costs for Caroline. It is a long process and quite tedious on my part.
We have hopes of ordering a device that will help her crawl which runs $550.00 and she is no where near potty trained so we constantly need diapers. She also takes two meds that run 55.00 a month. We will also need to get a wheelchair in the next two years that can be 2-3,000. I never thought she was expensive, but SSI would cetrtaintly allow us to help her more and maybe add more private therapy. I would love a date night once a week as Cam's job and Caroline's condition often can take a toll on everyday life as tasks become burdensome and cumbersome as she does not walk. Please pray for my daily strength and care I give to my girls. I want to portray Christ's love and actions even on the weary days.Just wanted to update family and friends on our ideas and goals for Caroline in the coming days.

Summer is off with a bang

We have already had a lot of fun since school has been out. My favorite part is that I am not rushing my kids out the door and I can enjoy them in the morning along with my cup of coffee. Caroline is really funny when she wakes up and wants you to come get her out of her bed. She says Hi and Up and Help and mommy until you come. we are only doing private pt this summer. Caroline will also attend a three week special needs program at the public school and she will receive speech, pt, and ot. Our two new goals are potty training and standing!
Her speech is coming along some of her new words are go and car almost everyday...she seems to be bored of she is stuck at home all day!!!! This week it was "malmart" and "mummy!!!" That is for walmart and money. She is making lots of connections and this makes my heart happy.
Yesterday I took Carley bowling and to lunch while Caroline stayed with Miss Catheleen.
We have been to Orlando for a few days with friends at a condo. We swam and played and had alot of fun too!!!Carley tried the trampoline attached to a bungy and rode the big water slide multiple times with her friend Merci.
We also have official library cards ...I can't believe it has taken me this long for them to get books and free mid movies....they had a ball. today we are running a few errands, but the wild fires and smoke are bad enough to keep us indoors.
Today is also our eleventh anniversary!!!! Happy Anniversary Husband!!!!

Spring