Pics from the past

I found these pics in a draft file and thought I would just post them for the heck of it. Besides, little Aiden is adorable!!

Two Weeks In

Some decisions are easy; stop at a red light, close the refrigerator door, put gas in your car. Others are more challenging; which school to choose, deciding on a career path, to marry or not to marry. The choice to go to Hope Therapy with Aiden was an easy one to make. Dave and I were in touch with them once we knew Aiden lost his ability to move his right leg. The decision came in the timing of our visit. We were advised that Aiden should complete his time at Sheltering Arms for rehab. Aiden also had gains he needed to make in his strength. He had lost more than 10% of his body weight while in hospital so he was pretty weak. So, we finished rehab and headed home. Aiden started home health PT twice a week and we worked.

An elegromyograph in November 2025 showed no nerve activity in the right quad so I contacted Mr Rob Aiden’s regular PT. We added another day of PT, some of it in the pool.

Our year rolled around and Aiden was in the same place he was 12 months earlier. It was discouraging to say the least. I felt hopeless and useless; despite the work we were no closer to  the goal, Aiden walking. This brings us to where we are today, the end of week 2 at Hope therapy!

This week was, I think, harder on Aiden than week one. Last week Shannon was working to find the best way help Aiden. This week she was honing the procedure and Aiden is tired!! Let’s be honest, so am I. Physical therapy for us is a family affair and it is always “all hands on deck”. I don’t know about Aiden, but I do know that I am glad my deodorant works!!

No matter the difficulty of the activity, no matter how 

hard we press him, Aiden works. He keeps on taking the steps, pedaling the trike, balancing in the exercise cage. I would have given up. Aiden keeps on. This brings to mind Romans 5:3-4

“…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that Suffering produces persverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope; “

How grateful I am for that hope.

Blessings to you and thankful for going on this journey with us.

~ Christa

Friday Fiasco

​There are days that start out with a bang. Friday was that kind of day. After getting up and getting Aiden and myself ready for PT, I loaded Aiden into his wheelchair and headed to the car. I didn’t realize that the repair I’d made to the chair would cause the front wheel to lock, but lock it did. And Aiden went sailing out onto his knees. My mom then proceeded to fall off the side of the ramp getting herself stuck with one foot up and one on the ground. I couldn’t help either of them. Mom was gripping my arm and I was gripping the wheelchair (keeping it from rolling down over Aiden).

Eventually I helped Mom get her footing and I rolled the wheelchair around Aiden. He was unscathed by the fall. I, on the other hand, felt like a terrible mom. Then the images began forming in my mind; the pictures of someone catapulting out of a wheelchair. I giggled. Then I laughed. Then I wished my folks had exterior cameras. (So, yes I really am a terrible mom!!!😂).

The situation that we find ourselves in with Aiden is serious. Both Dave and I are very aware of the ramifications of Aiden’s physical limitations. But we also know that there are days when our ability to find the laughter and joy get us over the rough spots. We do our best to find the good, the joyful, the lovely things, making sure our focus is on Jesus. Job 8:31 is a reminder that the Lord “will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy”. Remember laughing is a good thing.

Blessings to you.

~ Christa 

You Have This…

Today I know that you, Jesus, have everything under control. The things, the circumstances that seem to overwhelm, they have no power. Isaiah 43:1-3 is a reminder that nothing that comes at me today (or any day) has the power to destroy me... But now, this is what the LORD says, He who is your Creator,Jacob, And He who formed you, Israel: DO NOT FEAR (emphasis mine), for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are MINE!



When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD you God, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior... Thank you Jesus for protection when things in life seems overwhelming. Thank you for supporting me, and for giving me the opportunities to building up others. Blessings on this Sunday. ~ Christa

Since it's been so long since I've posted, I thought a quick summary of the last several years would be helpful. Here goes. Our last visit to Hope therapy was about 15 years ago. Aiden got better and better at walking. He went up and down stairs independently. We were able to go places and do things with relative ease. Aiden hit 13 and a growth spurt that caused him to have lots of pain when walking. Dave and I felt like maybe we should head back to Hope for an evaluation and and an intensive. What we ended up with was a referral to see an orthopedist. Aiden's diagnosis: bowing in his tibias and femurs. It was so bad that by the time we had surgery in November 2022 (age 17), Aiden's left fibula was weight-bearing. Aiden had 4 titanium rods in his legs and gained 2" in height. We rehabbed him at home over 6 months with hime health. Unfortunately, the scoliosis that we had been watching, had gotten considerably worse. Dave and I knew more surgery was on the horizon.

It got to a point where Aiden's spine was so curved that it was going to begin causing other health issues. We planned the procedure for January 2025; a date that has literally changed our lives. The suergery itself was successful from the point of view that Aiden's back is straighter and won't get worse, however, he lost the use of his right quad, effectively taking away his ability to walk. Our kiddo who had never been in a wheelchair, now needed one. On topof that, Aiden had 2 hopital acquired illnesses. All told, we spent 55 days in the PICU or rehab in Richmond. This brings us so much closer to today. Aiden's doctor felt sure that we would see improvement by 1 year. That hasn't happened. We are now trying to find a way for Aiden to regain some mobility, but it is an uphill fight. You miht be wondering where I am with Jesus. He could easily fix this problem with Aiden; reach down and heal all of Aiden's nerve issues, make it an easier road. Trust me when I say that I have asked the Lord (many times actually), why this is happening to a kiddo who has done nothing to deserve this "punishment". My heart has broken over how hard this is on Aiden; how hard he has to work, and how much this has changed our lives. The struggle is real for me. I don't see the big picture, but I'mpretty sure I couldn't handle it if it was right befire my eyes. So my only choice is to sit before Jesus and wait. My faith is being stretched in ways that I couldn't imagine. Some days I sail through some days feel like a trip up Everest. At least I am still on the road (althiugh some days it's only the shoulder!!). Thankyou for taking the time to read this super long post. We appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I will post some pics from our current PT adventure soon. BTW, the top pic is Aiden 2 weeks after Aiden's spine surgery. The second is his spine a year before the operatiom.

We’re Back

So much has happened since my last post and our last visit to Hope Therapy. I am hopeful that our journey to this place in our lives will be a blessing to you. I will take more time tomorrow to fill in years of gaps in this current adventure. Looking forward to sharing Aiden's adventure. Blessings to you, Christa

A gift on Sunday

I wish that I could print pictures from my brain. If I could I would play back my church service from this last Sunday. Let me try to describe it for you.

In our church there is an area between the back row of seats and the back wall. It's open and carpeted and perfect for a little guy who likes to walk around, read a book or snack on cookies during church. It's where we usually make camp on Sunday mornings. So when I stepped onto the platform in the front of the sanctuary with the choir I looked for my men in the back. Neither Dave nor Aiden were there.

Our choir director was sharing some scripture that had really spoken to her and was talking about the song we were going to sing (Never let Go). I have to admit that I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have because I was still looking for Aiden. That's when I saw him. He had walked down the side aisle and was peeking around the front pew.

Aiden did the rounds; he visited with Pam as she spoke, visited with the pastor's wife, the elder and his wife. He walked to the other side of the sanctuary and looked at the kids sitting in the front. He walked over to one of our exchange students who promptly scooped him into her lap where he stayed until the song was over and then he returned down the center aisle to visiting on his way back to Dave.

"Yeah, that's cute Christa, but what's the big deal?" you may be saying to yourself. Well here it is. Firstly, I had just shared with the congregation what you read in my last blog...that I had been questioning God's wisdom in placing Aiden with us and that I realized that I needed to rely on the Lord's power for my strength. Secondly, God, in His grace and wisdom, has placed us in a church family where Aiden, instead of being seen as a problem or a distraction, is seen as a gift and a miracle. The elder or his wife, the choir director or the pastor's wife could easily have whisked Aiden back to Dave and rebuked us later for allowing our child to wander in during the service. Instead, I was encouraged to remember that Aiden is not only a miracle to my family, but also to our collective church family; that he is a blessing and reminds people of God's faithfulness and love. Finally, I was reminded by Aiden's walk around that God has allowed me to have some part in this child's progress.

I cried as we sang "Oh no, You never let go through the calm and through the storm. Oh no You never let go in every high and every low. Oh no You never let go. Lord you'll never let go of me." He won't ever let go. I can trust that even on the days when I feel like I have totally blown it and I want to hang up my mommy crown He will carry me; even in the middle of the night when I can't figure out why my son is running a fever or my older kids refuse to comply I can trust that He will guide me (if I listen). He'll never let me go.

Blessings to you all on this day.
Christa