Friends...

Bestest Friends

The princesses holding court. Sir Dylan came along with his grandmother, Lady Klara, to pay homage to the royal beauties. (Klara delivered all three of my girls)
The Davis and Carter families. Is it just me or do Rich and Aaron look sorta similar?
The girls spa party night. Olivia's Gammie sent all three girls matching pajamas.

The best buddies sharing secrets and downtime.

Thanks to Trish for their cool shirts and Mary for their princess dolls.

Since I last posted Rylee has turned four. The tiny, still infant that lay in pediatric intensive care-tubes and beeps everywhere-has, like her big sister before her, taught Aaron and I so much...grown us up more in the Lord, enlarged our hearts and minds. Our little girl is a toddler! Long, curly blond hair. Incredibly long lashes rimming big bright blue eyes so like her daddy's. Almost as tall as Ryann...and yes, it is official-she definitely makes chunky thighs look good! grin

We took Rylee off the ventilator after we were given the severity of her diagnosis-praying for a few days with her-to make memories, enough to last us all a lifetime. But God once again exceeded our expectations. We've had four years to laugh loud, live strong, love deeply. We have photos of vacations, a meeting with a Prince, rode rides at Disney. Snuggled together at bedtimes, caught Ryann 'decorating' her sister with stickers and markers, cried as she began to turn her head towards our voices. Meet strangers who astonish us with their desire to help our family, pray for us, love us all-strangers who have now become family to us. God has given Ryann the ability to grow up learning firsthand compassion and acceptance. Our family and friends have supported and encouraged us - not always knowing what to say - but popping up at all times with willing hearts, giving spirits, and a home cooked meal. God put wonderful medical staff in our lives - educating us and helping us give Rylee the best life possible. Rylee has taught us to take nothing for granted, brought us to our knees with wonder (and prayer), and continues to remind us of God's unconditional love for His children. We don't fear her disorder, the medical issues that come with her.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "~1 John 4:18~

Through Rylee we've meet other families in similar situations. The Carters brought home their daughter, Olivia, much the same way we did. Hoping and praying...daring to ask for a miracle, hoping for time with their sweet little girl. In four years Olivia's mom, Angie, and I have become confidantes, late night phone callers, email and instant messaging addicts, sounding boards and prayer warriors for each other, offering wide open mommy hearts...hoping to find a friend who truly understands...but somehow along the way became sisters of the heart...kindred spirits.
The Carters live in Maine and of course we'd never met. Part of their Make A Wish trip with Olivia was to celebrate the girls' fourth birthday together.
After four years we finally could hug each other-giggle and cry together. We put Rylee and Olivia's hand in each others. Laughed as they filled up Rylee's twin bed. Rylee turned to face Olivia and coughed all over her. Livie, deciding that real friends share everything...promptly sneezed right in Rylee's face. It's probably the only time Angie and I've ever giggled about someone else 'sharing' germs with our kids! Aaron and Rich spent time golfing while Angie and I gabbed all weekend. We had a wonderful party with good friends and family-lots of bubbles, a few happy tears, and plenty of spoiling for the girls. After all-they get no attention (grin). Ryann enjoyed having another sissy to love on-she was very protective of Livie and would go back and forth between the girls, making sure everything was just right. We had a few days to really get to know each other-in person-and to revel in having another family like us-who really understood everything. Seizures, medications, and therapies were bandied about over the dinner table as though we were discussing the latest football game or recent local news. It was fun to hold each other's child-without saying, "Um, her arm is dangling. Um, she's loosing circulation in her legs. Um, she can't breathe well when you hold her that. Aaaa, do you think you could lean her back a bit more?" questions that degenerate into the inevitable, "She's heavy isn't she? Let me take her off your hands." Rich knew just how to hold Rylee, and Aaron was the same with Olivia. And of course Angie and I couldn't keep our hands off the girls! They are so alike-even their hands smell the same! We of course know that-because we are actually like that dirty feet smell locked in their little fists. And yes, our husbands have informed us that we are weirdos! giggle
It was great to speak our minds knowing they got 'it,' fully understood our hearts and thoughts. We had such a wonderful time with this sweet family. I pray I can be available, encouraging to another mother-the way Angie has been to me. Our only regret? That the trip wasn't longer...and that they lived closer!

Hope everyone enjoys the photos-
please remember the Carter family as you pray for our own.

"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.

Before him, I may think aloud."

Ralph Waldo Emerson