Wednesday, April 28, 2010

FOUR YEARS OLD!



Braden getting "Happy Birthday" sung to him from the Wilson extended family...


Although we celebrated Braden's life at the Seize the Day walk two weeks ago, this weekend was his actual birthday. We snuggled, cuddled, stretched, got a bath and a haircut - big day in Braden's world. He was very content and satisfied Sunday. Mommy and Daddy had KS steaks, grilled veggies & fresh strawberries and pound cake muffins to celebrate.

As I reflect on the four years I have been blessed to be the mother of a child with a ministry that knows no bounds, I am content too. We've traveled great distances to ensure our families have had chances to know and love Braden. We've traveled great distances to see specialists for answers and guidance. We've traveled many times on that emotional roller-coaster with Braden over his health, his comfort, his care and his life expectancy. I'm trying to take a page from Braden's book... where we are now focused on QUALITY of life, and I want to do the same. We have accepted we don't know how many more tomorrows we will get with him, we've accepted he won't be president, graduate from high school, play sports or ever be able to tell us he loves his mommy and daddy. We relish the today's that we have to snuggle quietly with him, as we silently grieve the dreams we once had for our future son, and silently thank GOD for all the blessings we couldn't foresee when our journey began.

As parents, I think our biggest fear was really having a child labeled "disabled" or "handicapped". But now I am so grateful to have a child who has given me so many lessons on life. How foolish I was to let fear of that unknown possibility overshadow the multitude of blessings that would later be showered upon this family. I would have missed out on so many blessings, and so many amazing people in our life, if Braden was not everything God intended him to be.

Today my prayers are of thanksgiving for all that's been brought to our life with this little angel. I pray that when the time comes, I will be OK when Jesus comes to take him back from me, knowing he will be fully restored and one day I will get to know what a hug feels like from my own son, and to hear the words "Mommy" or "I love you".

Today we will thank God for his miracles.
Today we will live in the moment.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of our world, and showering us with your love and support near and far!
Braden, Brad & Kodi

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Seize the Day Walk and Birthday Party








Today we celebrated Braden's FOURTH birthday (can you believe it??) at the Seize the Day Walk. Many friends and family could not make it today, however we were blessed with many who could make it and blessed with PERFECT weather!

We celebrated with Braden's Team BEE-LIEVE on LSU's campus today. Good food, great friends, wonderful weather.

Braden was slightly fussy the past few days, but we think he's passed a very small stone, which could mean the kidney doc's plan to break them up with Poly-citrate might just be working! Braden only seemed fussy, not in extreme pain, so our hope is that God is giving us a break on this one.

Enjoy the pics, sorry it's been awhile. We are just trying to enjoy our time with Braden and make the most of the time God is giving us with him. Thanks for your continued support and love!

BRADEN, Kodi and Brad