Our Recent Visit to Memphis

Dillan's checkup at the end of July was turned into a mini family vacation. We took all of the kids and my parents so we could enjoy some fun in Memphis. We traveled up on Saturday, July 27 and took our time getting there. Once we arrived in Memphis we enjoyed a yummy dinner at On The Border in Germantown. 
Sunday we had fun walking the entire Mississippi River at Mud Island. Isabelle and Ethan loved it and wanted to stay all day!

We enjoyed watching leaves and stick boats make their way down river. After our walk over the same bridge Tom Cruise ran on in the movie The Firm we rode the monorail back and headed to lunch. For lunch we decided to try The Spaghetti Warehouse. It was delicious! An added blessing for us, it was National Lasagna Day and their yummy lasagna was on special :) (I love a good sale)! 

After stuffing ourselves we decided to drive to Arkansas. Memphis is on the edge of the state line so it's literally just crossing a bridge on I-40. We drove to West Memphis and stopped at Walmart. I totally forgot to stop at the Welcome to Arkansas sign and take a picture of the kids :-/We wanted the kids to see the Loraine Motel so we drove back to downtown Memphis. History takes on a different meaning in person. To see where Dr. King stood and was killed is heartbreaking. 

Dillan's first appointment was Sunday evening so after our visit to the Loraine Motel we headed over to the hospital. Tim, Dillan and I got checked in at the Memphis Grizzlies House and we let the kids play for a little while before walking over to the hospital for the dreaded blood work appointment. Chandler decided to come back with us and I think it was good for him and Dillan. Chandler was able to see how hard this is for Dillan (he was very supportive and helpful when we had to hold Dillan down). Dillan appreciated his brother showing he cares :). We made it through getting the dreaded IV and walked back to the MGH to enjoy the family area a little longer. Unfortunately a game of air hockey was a little too much fun and Dillan accidently pulled his IV out. He was distraught to say the least. We stopped the bleeding and walked back to the hospital.

Nurse Ron took amazing care of Dillan and had him smiling again (Dillan said he did such a good job he'd let him put an IV in his other arm). Ron is an amazing and caring person and even checked on us the next day as he was coming into work and passed by my parents in the front lobby.After all that excitement we drove to the hotel to get our things for the night. Dillan wanted Gammy to sit with him for his MRI so Gamp stayed with Chandler, Ethan and Isabelle while Tim drove us back to St Jude's. (we booked a hotel in Germantown which is about 20 minutes from the hospital). Our day of appointments started with his 12th MRI at 6:45am. After it we grabbed some breakfast in the Kay Cafe (Kay Jewelers is a big supporter of St Jude's). Then Daddy, Gamps and the kids arrived so we headed to turn in the tabs and donations we had collected since our last visit in March. We had a little time before Dillan's next appointment so we played air hockey (this time without an IV so no worries) and Isabelle had fun on the playground at MGH. Dillan had a heart echo scheduled and he wanted Gammy and Gamps with him. I had to walk in with them for any questions but when I was going to leave he asked me to stay (rare moment that he wants me). The results were normal! Yay!! We headed to our next appointment which was OT. He did fine. She reminded him to take his time when writing so he can regain proper letter formation. Overall he's doing good :) For dinner we rode the trolly to Beale Street to Dyer's to try their famous burgers. They were good. We rode the trolly back to the hospital so we could enjoy craft night at MGH (some nights various local businesses, churches, etc.will come with dinner and/or something fun for families to do). Isabelle made a lightening bug while Dillan and Ethan made little aquariums.

Afterwards Dillan wanted to take everyone to one of his favorite places Menchie's (it's a frozen yogurt place similar to Chill). We all enjoyed a yummy dessert and played on the game table (a Samsung touchscreen smart table). Then daddy, Dillan, Ethan and I dropped off everyone else at the hotel and headed back to St Jude's. Our last fun thing before heading home was a yummy lunch at Memphis Pizza. Isabelle enjoyed it so much she asked to be excused to find our server and order another cheese pizza (she's one independent 5 year old). Before we started our drive home we dropped Tim off at the airport to fly to DC for work. 
Now for Dillan's MRI results. Dr Wright is always such a pleasure to talk with as is our entire medical army :) His MRI shows slight growth (1 millimeter). Since there was growth his past scans were reviewed and they were able to determine it took about a year and a half for this amount of growth. At this point he will continue to be watched and closely monitored for any further growth. The neurosurgeon did not feel surgery was necessary at this point. This is a minor bump in the road and we keep our faith in God and His amazing plans for Dillan. As always we appreciate the love and support everyone has shown us throughout this journey. We could not make it through this without all of our prayer warriors.

Mother's Day

As this day came to an end I reflected on how blessed I am. I have my mom and her mom to help me become the best mom I can possibly be. I have all four of my children here with me (almost two years ago I was told we had about a month before we could have lost Dillan by the ER doctor). I have a husband that loves me unconditionally and is an amazing partner in life. My heart and prayers go out to my friends that are traveling this road alone. I pray for those who have moms in heaven that today you felt their embrace throughout the day. I pray for those who have experienced the loss of a child that today you feel their unconditional love throughout the day. My day was special not because I was showered with gifts or because my children were angels (they were actually worse than usual today), it was special because I chose to focus on the blessings God gives me every day...

I am blessed with a teenager that hugs his great-grandmother and gives her a kiss on the cheek at every family gathering. 

I am blessed with a preteen that is with me daily as a living example of God's amazing miracles and a testimony of His love. 

I am blessed with a young curious boy that has a precious and sometimes mischievous personality and is very loving to all of us. 

I am blessed with a daughter who is very sure of herself. Her confidence at five years old is mind boggling. 

My grandmother, Ethel Baggett

Four Generations

My mom, Sue Saviak

My little princess

Mom and her mom

Love him

My blessings, when I remember to focus on them, are overflowing. I am thankful and grateful He chose me to have this life and be mom to Chandler, Dillan, Ethan and Isabelle. 

Happy Mother's Day everyone!