What a rewarding 3 years...

I am having the hardest time convincing myself that my time with Caden is soon ending. When I started college, I started watching this amazing child as well...and quitting my job so I can work as an RN might be one of the hardest things ill ever have to do. Don't get me wrong...I am excited to start working as a pedi. nurse (like suuuuper excited), but I can't believe my daily plans will no longer involve seeing his precious face anymore. I am trying desperately to find a replacement...and praying praying praying that the right person will come along soon. Caden is the most inspiring and amazing person I ever met, and I hope and pray with all my heart that I have kids as wonderful as he is. My heart is breaking knowing that I only have about 2-3 more weeks with my little man. Luckily, Caden and his parents found a new house that is actually closer to my apartment! I am hoping that despite my crazy night shift hours...I will still get to see him on the weekends some.

No recent news about whether he will be getting a G-button or not. His teacher says he has gained around 2-3 pounds...but you can't really tell just by looking at him. I have mixed feelings about that blasted g-button. It has so many benefits but so many potential adverse reactions too. The appetite stimulants make him super cranky...so his parents haven't been giving them to him as often. We will see what happens soon. I believe he has an appointment pretty soon with his GI doc. As always, prayers for the little man are always appreciated!

Well...its back to studying for me! My last nursing exam/final is on Monday and then I am officially finished with nursing school! What an exciting day Monday will be!

PS-the picture above was of me and Caden around a year or two ago. He was in a great mood that day :0)

Peace and Love...

-Makensie

The Good news and the Bad news

The Good news:
Well the semester is drawing closer to an end which can only mean one thing--GRADUATION! I am happy to report that I have finally been offered and accepted a job with...drum roll pleeeease...San Angelo Community Hospital Pediatrics!!! I am SO excited to start working as a nurse...and to be working in an area that I have ALWAYS wanted to work is just icing on the cake! I start in early June and am a little nervous, but I think once I can get some kind of routine down, things will run a little smoother.

The Bad News:
We are anxiously awaiting to find out whether Caden will be getting a "G-Button" soon (aka- a feeding tube that is surgically put into his stomach). He hasn't been losing weight, but he been growing taller an skinnier throughout the year without any weight gain. He is getting so thin that his size 2T pants are starting to fall off of him (and he is 6 six years old!). his eating habits are never constant...one day he eats great, other days he doesn't want to take a bite of anything. I am so worried about my little man!!! The doctor says that he is going to give Caden appetite stimulants for 2 weeks to see if it helps at all...if not, he will consider the g-button. At this point, we are willing to try anything just to see him gain weight. More info. to come soon! Prayers for Caden are much appreciated :0)

Peace and Love,
-Kens

Big Changes are Comin'!

Just like always...its been forever and a day since I've posted! Once finals were over in December I decided to take a MAJOR break and not do anything for once. Well...that didn't last very long since I am used to being busy 24/7....but somehow I failed to post during that time. Hmmm..who knows. Anyway...the highlight of my winter break was going to California for the Rose Bowl. It was beautiful and the weather was perfect-- 70's everyday! Couldn't ask for a better vacation! (Minus the outcome of the game...poor longhorns :-( ) Anyway...school is back with a vengeance and I have been buried in homework/studying/quizzes from the get-go. The good news is that it is my last semester of nursing school! I can't believe it!! The bad news is that I have sooo many hospitals to apply to and sooo many interviews to go to in other cities. The ideal plan right now that I am hoping comes true is that I get into the Seton versant nursing residency program in Austin. It starts at the end of June..so I will be packing up and moving out right when school gets out! I am terrified to say the least!!! I have never lived anywhere but San Angelo and will be moving all by my lonesome self :-( I know it will be a good experience, I am just a little nervous. The reason I am wanting to go to Austin is because of their nurse residency program which, hopefully if I get into, will train me to work in the NICU with the preemie babies. I was originally wanting to work in pediatrics, but am now seriously contemplating becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. More to come on the application/acceptance stuff soon.

Here are some pics from the Rose Bowl! I promise it won't take me so long to post this next time!

Peace and Love,

Kens

Snow--a RaRe occurance!

Can you believe San Angelo's CrAzY weather?? One day its 75 degrees...the next, SNOW! Unfortunately, we don't get snow too often in our little west Texas town...so folks here tend to treasure these little snowy moments! You will have to forgive my "just-woke-up-NO-makeup-I-can't-believe-it-actually-snowed-face" in my pictures. Its bad I know...but what can I say...snow days are exceptions. We had fun!

Oh...and might I say that Paisley did NOT enjoy her first snow encounter. She proceeded to plop herself on the staircase and REFUSE to go downstairs from our apartment to potty while snow was on the ground. When we finally put her in the snow she zipped back to dry land ASAP. It was quite comical. I wish I had a video/pictures of it :0( Next time for sure!

Hope you guys had a great snow day! Talk to you soon...

-Makensie

December already?!

I cannot believe Christmas is almost here! Thanksgiving sure did fly by! For some unknown reason I have not been taking ANY pictures at all lately. I have no idea why...its like ive forgotten that my camera even existed! (poor camera) ...So no fun pictures to show, sorry :0( I will definitely be working on that! Well... Thanksgiving at my house and Zach's house was quite an event. I felt like I never stopped eating! (although this does happen quite often-not just on thanksgiving day) It was great to see all my friends and family! What a wonderful holiday.
Finals are on Monday and I am cramming all I can into my little brain before that dreadful day. I cannot wait until it is over! I have an enormous christmas shopping list to accomplish once I am free from testing. I LOVE christmas!
Zach and I went and saw The Blindside last night and it was such an amazing and inspiring movie! Messages like those make me realize how much more I should be giving to those in need... I encourage everyone to see go and see it! Speaking of inspiring, my sweet Caden Lane has been doing very well in school. I am so proud of you little man! Caden and I have kind of reached a new level in our relationship--not only am I his nanny/babysitter/caretaker...but I have now become his nurse! Caden has always has major allergy problems that tend to cause him some major congestion. He usually gets infections around this time of year because he cannot physically clear his own congestion due to his disorder. THANKFULLY we have switched him over to a more reliable form of allergy medication--allergy shots. Even though this sounds more painful...giving him shots almost always ensures that he will receive the right amount of medication to protect him from getting sick (his parent's and my ultimate goal). Since I am almost an official nurse, his parents have allowed me to give him his shots twice a week instead of having to go to the doctor's 24/7 (I am honored!). Even though I usually get a frowny face from him after I give him his shot...he always smiles when I tell him how indestructively tough he is..and how much I love him. Oh how I love that crazy boy!!!

Well...more to come soon! ....and pictures next time for sure!

-Kens

Hey guys...

Well there's nothing much to say but school, school, school! Good news though..I am halfway done with the semester! Only a semester and a half until I graduate with my RN.. woohoo! Lately homework and papers are the only thing occupying my time besides Caden and ASU football. Zach is a starting receiver for ASU now so every Saturday I drive and drive and drive with his parents to either New Mexico or Oklahoma to watch him play (we are just so dedicated! ;0) ) In other news...Caden just turned SIX years old!!! I can't believe my little man is getting so big! He was about to turn four when I started watching him. What an adventure it has been!!! Im so privileged to have the job that I do...He is just a wonderful child! So far..NO FLU--thank goodness...for me or Caden. I swear I purel his hands about three times in the 3-4 hour span I watch him on a daily basis. I wish I could just keep him in a bubble so that no germs could enter his precious little body! My little bro. Evan just came down with the flu though...and we are all sad because he wont get to play in his game this friday. He is such a precious boy too...jeez what I would give to be able to protect these people of mine from harm!!!

Anyway, one of the most honorable and sweet man I have ever known, Rodney Dunlap, died today from bone cancer. He was in so much pain all the time, so I know it is a blessing, but I am devastated for his family. We all loved him so very much. If you dont mind, say a little prayer for him and his family as the journey of life continues. Thanks!

*The pics are from the Texas vs. Tech game, my brother's homecoming football (I am holding baby Ali), and one of Zach's football games.

More to come soon! Hope everyone is having a good Fall so far!

-Peace and Love,

Kens

School's Cool--NOT!

Well...the fall semester is off to a busy start! My semester is crammed with never-ending homework, projects, and assignments...not to mention impossible tests. How much longer 'till christmas again??? Only 8 more months until I get my RN (whew..dont know if I can take much more!)

Well, enough about me. The important person to remember here is the precious angel I have failed to mention lately in my posts--CADEN! Caden is doing just wonderful! He started full days of school this fall at Reagan elementary...and is loving it. He is pooped by the time I drop by the school to get him...and falls asleep in about 10 seconds once he has his bottle at home. Now that I am getting him a little earlier in the day, he is able to nap before therapy which helps his energy level when we strap him up to walk. His walking is much improved and we even tried something new this week--a TRICYCLE! It is a special tricycle with head support and petals we can strap his feet to so that he can ride the day away! He didn't know what to think of it at first...but after a little help...he realized he was pushing himself around and LOVED the idea! He kept motioning and saying "more, more!"

More good news-- Caden has been approved for a Make-A-Wish trip. Of course, we all know what this means...his condition is fatal. But lets not get too hasty!!! He did jet past his life expectancy at the age of 2...and I have full faith that he will live much much longer than anyone can estimate. He is the most amazing, miraculous, and precious little boy on this planet...and I wouldn't trade watching him for anything in the world! He is the true meaning of a miracle. Jeez, I am so blessed to have him in my life! I don't deserve him!

More to come soon! Hope you guys are having a great week!

Peace and love,

Kens