Leuko What?

Our life took a different turn on September 12th, 2010.

Carter was riding his bike when his brother Weston made him crash. Neither Chris or I where by Carter when this happened. Our neighbor and good friends carried him back to our house.

Upon our arrival we knew that something was not right. He said he could not walk. We noticed that his left leg was not moving as it should. Chris gave Carter a blessing and we waited for a little bit to see if we could get him to calm down.

Latter on that night we decided it was time to take him to the Hospital and make sure something was not wrong. When we got to the hospital the Dr did a physical exam and realized that there was nothing physical wrong with his leg. He than decided to order a CT of his head. When he came back to our room I could tell by the look on his face something was wrong. He said that everything looked ok from the bike accident, but that something was very wrong with his brain. He did not know what Carter had but that the white matter of his brain was not normal. To the point that he thought he brought up the wrong CT at first. He released us from the hospital and told us to follow up with a Neurologist at Primary Childrens Hospital.

The next day I was on the phone at 8 am sharp trying to make an appointment as soon as possible. Needless to say we ended up taking Carter into the ER at 1:00 that afternoon because we felt like the matter was very urgent and we need answers soon.

When we arrived to the Primary childrens ER the whole Neurology team was aware of Carter and his CT he had the night before. Having 5 Doctors show up at one time was very scary. For me that is when I knew that this was so serious. We kept on hearing the word Leukodestrophy. Neither Chris or I have ever heard of this desieas before. They started an IV on Carter and admitted Carter to the Neurology until.

The next day Carter had a Spinal tap and a MRI. With the results from these two test we knew for sure that he had Leukodestrophy. While we where waiting for the results both Chris and I came to the conclusion that whatever the outcome was that it was in the Lords Hands. We had faith that we could handle whatever was ahead.

At this point our sweet Carter was still not walking. He was very upset and wanted to go home. After two days in the Hospital we where released not knowing what the future was really going to hold for Carter. We had to wait for about 3 weeks for blood test results. We where lucky and four days after we came home Carter started walking. He could only take a few steps at a time.

Our wonderful friend, Neighbor, Angle, and Carters primary teacher helped Carter get better. I really don't know what I would of done without her. She has been a huge blessing in Carters life and mine.

It has been a slow process to get Carter to where he is now. He walks a little funny. He is going through Physical Therapy to help him.

We got the results from the blood work and found out that he has Vanishing White Matter Leukodestrophy. We are blessed to know that he has one of the slow progressing forms of Leukodestrophy. We don't know what the future holds for Carter and we don't know how long we will have him on this earth, but we know that we are blessed to be his Parents.

We have felt the Lords hand in so many things over the past two months. We have felt his tender mercies. We have truly gotten to know what Charity is. We have been on the receiving end of service and are amazed by the people who have given to us.

Fishing and Football

We had an awesome weekend up in Boise on November 4-7th. Our wonderful friends the Allens and Hartsons put a fun weekend together for our whole family.

On Friday we started off fishing. Jordan Allen (the fish whisper) took us fishing. We all caught a lot of fish that where 20-24 inches. The boys loved every minute of it. I hope that they have a lot of memories of this day. It was something very special.

That night the moms went out for pedicures and dinner. They also took me to two different stores that had donated Boise State University gear to Carter. I was so unbelievably took off guard. I could not understand why people who did not know me or my family could be so giving. Both Chris and I felt so loved.

The next day the boys all went to the Boise State Game. Jordan and Randy where able to get amazing VIP tickets for the game. This was for Carter. They had a blast. Carter received a football signed by the Couch. They loved watching the game.

We are go grateful for friends who love us so much. We have been so overwhelmed by the care and love we have received from everyone.

The past 2 months.

I have been bad with keeping up on our blog. I have been a little busy. As most of you know Carter has been diagnosed with Leukodestrophy. We are trying to get back to normal with life. He is doing well and we are very optimistic.

I want to keep up on our life and what are family is doing.

Weston started 3rd grade. He is loving school and loves to read. He is in scouts now and is very excited about that. He entered the Reflections contest and won first prize for a photo he took of papa and carter fishing. He loves to laugh and have a good time. Right now he wants to be in the military when he gets older. He is a good boy.



Carter is doing well. He is 5 and he started Kindergarten again. He has had a hard time letting me leave the class room. He still has his fun and happy personality. He is very much a fighter.

Ryder is two and loves to copy Carter. He talks very well and loves music. He makes us all laugh.

Chris and I are doing well. We both have been really busy.

Summer Part One Washigton and Oregon

I have not updated our blog in a very long time. We have been really busy traveling and visiting family. The boys and I drove up to WA to visit Chris family and my Bother Travis and his family. We celebrated Cars 5th Birthday with Aunt Anne, Papa and Nana Martin. We went to the Zoo and where able to stop by and visit Grandma Edgar.

Next we drove onto Oregon to visit Travis and his family. We where able to be there for T's Baptism and Papa Listons Birthday. We went to some amazing waterfalls and had so much fun with Travis and his family.

I was able to visit my Best Friend from High School. It was so good to see her and her cute family.

Em and I.

Papa L jumping with the kids on the Tramp.

The play the cousins put on for Papa L's birthday.

At Red Robin lunch after T's Baptism.

The waterfall we hiked up to. The kids had a blast.

C's birthday Cake.

C was supper cute opening his gifts.

Ry with is shades on at the Zoo.

Wes and Car sitting on a hippo being funny.

This Zoo was amazing. There was so much to look at the kids had such a blast.

Papa Martin, Ry and the dog sitting looking for the Raccoons.

The hurt Raccoon the boys loved watching at Papa and Nana Martins house.

Great Grandma Edgar and the boys. It has been a long time scene we have seen her. It was nice to visit with everyone and see family we have not seen in a while.

May

I think the month of May has been one of our busiest months we have had in a long time. Weston won a bike at school. Every year they give away 4 bikes as an incentive for reading. Weston was so excited to win one of the bikes.

My Sweet grandma Rudd passed away on May 8th. All of my siblings and parents came into town for her funeral. It was so good to see everyone. The above picture is with my Grandma Liston (my dads mom) and my step-grandpa Max. This was after the beautiful service.

For our wedding Anniversary Chris got us tickets for Sugarland and Julianne Hough. We had so much fun. It was one of the best shows we have seen in a long time. We have been married for 10 wonderful years!

Also for our anniversary Chris picked me up on this Bike. Our awesome neighbors let us use this for the night. We went out to dinner and Chris bought me some cute red high heel shoes.

Weston was baptized on May 1st. Here is Weston and his brothers. They make me laugh so much.

Dad and Weston. We are so proud of him and his decision.

W Birthday

W turned 8 yesterday. I can't believe that he is that old. We gave him a Surprised Birthday Party. He loved it.

Soccer

The boys started S0ccer this year. They both have done really well. W is number 15 on the light green team.

C has really enjoyed playing. He trips a lot but that is normal for him.

Winter 2010

For some reason we have all been so sick with winter. I can't count the colds, runny noses, ear infections, croup, and I can't for get the swine flu we got. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong and why all of us have been so sick. Weston and Chris have been the healthy ones. I want winter to be over and spring to be here.

silly socks and such

Car had silly sock day at school. He wanted me to make him some socks that had eyes on them. Some how he got a hold of my camera and took this picture.

Ry had his first ice cream cone last week. He loved it. In this picture you can see his top two teeth. This is his new smile after his surgery.

Car asleep on the stairs. This is what I came home to after I went grocery shopping.

Car with is his big boy tools and tool belt. He got this prize for using the potty and not peeing in his pants. This child seriously could care less if he pees in his pants. We are trying really hard to get him out of that habit. He picked this prize out because he loves to help Chris.

Christmas and birthday.

Ry and his new smile.

The boys and Dad on his birthday.

Cookies for Santa.