Thanksgiving 2009

This year for Thanksgiving, we went to Hilton Head Island to visit my mom's side of the family. We all gathered at Aunt Terri's house for the day. Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

tired and full bellies

Evelyn and Melissa playing phones together

Playing with Playdough

Looked like fun so others joined us

Aunt Terri's bulldozer

Eye Update # 1

So today we went to an eye specialist and had Evelyn's eye checked out. Here is what we learned:

It is infact Cranial Nerve VI Palsy. (So the doctor in Jan. was right)

Basically Evelyn has a weak six nerve. According to the doctor, the six nerve already travels a crazy track in the brain (she actually said that it was a poor design). So due to it being weak, several things can cause the eye to cross because the six nerve moves the eye laterally to the outside part of the eye. Things such as any sickness (virus, cold, GI infection, etc), any minor bump to the head (which happens all the time with toddlers), and many other factors. The doctor seems to think that sickness is triggering Evelyn's six nerve. So in that case it become extremely weak and the muscles in the inner part of her eye pull the eye to the center. They over power the six nerve. Alot of this we already knew, but this doctor explained it much better.

So what did we learn that is new......

* This will probably happen...actually it will continue to happen (don't know how often and how long)
* Sickness will trigger the eye.
* We need to patch the good eye until the bad eye recovers...we patch the good eye so the bad eye gets exercise. If not, the brain will give up sending signals to the bad eye and she will loose the ability to use the eye.
* Evelyn's vision was checked and she can see fine. So that is a relief.
* Surgery is a very likely possibility in the future. Not now because she is too young and still developing. If we did it now, it wouldn't work. So, we have to wait and see.

So for the next six weeks we will patch the eye and hope it goes away. Evelyn sees the doctor on Dec 30 to check her progression.

It looks like this is something we can handle with just a little patching when the eye crosses and maybe some surgery to correct the eye when she is older.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

ClotheCharlotte

For those of you whom read the blog, I just wanted to pass on this email I received. This movement all started with one man at our church and was a huge success last year. Just wanted everyone to know about it and how they can get involved.

Hey everyone,

clothecharlotte is at it again and we need you. You came through and collected over 1100 kits last year. That is over 3300 items in 5 weeks which is absolutely amazing! clothecharlotte has a vision to meet the need of every single homeless person in the city of Charlotte. While speaking with many of the shelters last year we realized a common need, sleeping bags. clothecharlotte will remain an advocate for the homeless, so we are responding to the needs of the shelters this year by pushing all of our efforts towards gathering 5000 sleeping bags.

clothecharlotte will always be a grassroots organization making a huge impact in the city. We have all been effected by the financial state our nation, and we all have a real understanding how easy it could be to find ourselves homeless. clothecharlotte was a success last year simply because you responded to a need. Join the clothecharlotte Movement again and spread your impact.

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) http://www.facebook.com/l/6c3f2;clothecharlotte.com will launch this weekend
2) volunteer for a specific spot on the website
3) we are collecting sleeping bags this year -- for men, women and children

What we need YOU to do:
1) start a clothecharlotte donation in your area, your work place or your church
2) forward this email to everyone you know asking them to join the movement
3) donate your sleeping bags --- we are 5 weeks away. you CAN make this happen
4) visit the website often to stay connected and prepared for December 19th

Event Info: clothecharlotte
Distribution Date: Saturday, December 19th, 2009
Location: Freedom Park
Time: 12:00 noon

Visit website for multiple drop off locations. If you are out of state please mail donations to this address.
clothecharlotte
12708 Mosby Lane
Charlotte, NC 28273

Contact info:
info@http://www.facebook.com/l/6c3f2;clothecharlotte.com
704-916-9356

never forget the thousands of homeless in charlotte fighting daily to survive the elements. give warmth. give hope. give just because. give your sleeping bags.

Thanks everyone and help support the cause.

Prayer Needed

We are in need of some pray for our daughter Evelyn. This week her left eye has decided to cross again. Daniel and I are so concerned and a little taken back by this since we were told that the chances of Evelyn's eye crossing again was very small. When this happened in January, we were told that it probably happened due to a virus. At the time we were skeptical, but now we are really confused. She doesn't seem to be sick this time.

So, tomorrow I will be finding a new ophthalmologist and starting all over again. I've begun to do some research and there are all kinds of things that could explain some of Evelyns eye stuff, but nothing seems to be a perfect match. This time I hope to be a little more informed, wiser from the last time, and able to manage the care Evelyn gets a lot better.

Please pray for Evelyn. We know that her vision is effected by this, but we don't know how much. Pray that she keeps her spunk and that we only have minimal brusing do to her lack of vision :). Please pray for Daniel and I. Pray that we can get through each doctors visit, each day and to be patient. Please pray for Evelyn's doctors. Pray for wisdom for these doctors. Pray for an accurate diagnosis, treatment options, etc.

We want to thank each and everyone of you for caring for us. We hope to have some good news soon!

Soda Box

To solve my husbands caffeine addiction and save money, we buy aldi 2 liter soda by the case. Evelyn likes to play in the case after we have removed the 2 liters.

Halloween 2009

This year for Halloween we had two fun days. Friday, we went to a corn maze. Saturday, Evelyn got dressed in her costume and we went to Concord Mills to trick to treat. Here are some pictures of Evelyn in her costume.

Must Have Cupcake

So, a couple of weeks ago Evelyn really wanted the cupcakes on the kitchen counter. She found the step stool, pushed it to the counter, and got a cupcake. Now, she uses the stool for everything. Nothing is safe on the counter!