Graphic Novels

Okay, so maybe Bradley day didn't end with a graphic novel, but he did get his first comic book....and he picked it out all by himself. I thought I saw the smiles and grins at Edventure, but as you can see from the pics....he seemed much more excited about this purchase.




And for all you out there thinking why on earth would a reading teacher allow her own child to read a comic, well let me ask you, "Have you ever tried to read a comic?" Not only does it require basic concepts about print, but also how to follow the speech bubbles, narrations boxes, frames, and so forth. And just scanning Bradley's new treasure....vocabulary you don't get in books for the primary and even elementary grades. Besides I use comics to teach with so yes, my children will have comics if that is what excites them to read.



Enough about that....Check out how Bradley day came to an end.

Special story time with Grandpop....Grandpop, Daddy, and Uncle Eric are all avid comic book collectors...guess Bradley is one in the making.

And now for those of you wondering what on earth graphic novels have to do with comic books......get your mind out of the gutter! Graphic novels in basic terms is a book written in comic format. For everyone who struggled with Shakespeare, Beowulf, or any other such novel, go to your local library and check out these books in the graphic novel section. You may just find it makes sense because of being written in a graphic vs. traditional format.

An Edventuresome Day

We're home now and resting after a very fast paced couple of hours at EdVenture. Despite the disappointment I felt about Snowville....I imagined bigger and better....we had a pretty good time.

All pictures from today can be viewed at www.dropshots.com/ladypiper

Today Bradley:

put out fires, drove a car and pumped gas(sorry no pics today..they were blurred)

helped Curious George get into mischief

threw snowballs (sorry this is the only one I have with Bradley in it...he moved too fast for the others)


built an igloo

slid down an ice slide

ice fished


rode a snowmobile


and played ice hockey.

Wow what a day!

Wonder Pets

Wonder Pets
Wonder Pets
We're on our way
To help a baby animal
And save the day.....

While I was pregnant with Tori and even before that Bradley and I had a bedtime ritual that included bath time, breathing treatment, then cuddle time in mommy's bed watching Wonder Pets.

Since this school year started we've not had that time. Mostly because Bradley has to get in bed earlier since I put him in daycare/preschool.

Thanks to Nana we got that special time last night and with all we are going through I think it was much needed.

We did bath and breathing time, then I asked Bradley if he wanted stories (because we always have story time) or if he wanted to come to watch cartoons in mommy's room. Of course without hesitation, "Mommy's room! Mommy's room!"

So we got settled, lights off, TV on and what comes on...Wonder Pets. Of course it was one we've seen probably 100 times or more, but that's okay. My little Boo snuggled right up beside me and I think we both drifted off to lala land until Daddy came in to take Bradley to bed.

Today we're going to Edventure. We've gone before, but we've not gone with just Bradley since...literally...the day before Tori was born. Ever since we've always had Tori with us.

Bradley (and we do too) really needs some special time to not have to think about medicine, bandages, more medicine, scratching...well you get the picture.

So we're off!!!!!

Lord, please relieve Bradley of his burdens long enough today so he can just be a normal kid and have fun. Amen.

His Hands Are Holding Me

Warning graphic pictures will follow. *update June 4, 2015...Original graphic pictures are no longer with this post. Not sure what happened to them. Hmmmmm....

"Mommy, you're hurting me."

"Please don't. I hurt."

"NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!"

Screaming, crying, kicking, yelling....these are our nights, our mornings, our life.

I will never be able to really describe with words the sounds that come from Bradley's mouth. Night...specifically bathtime....is the worst. The next would have to be the 2:00 a.m. screams that could bring the dead out of a deep sleep.

I won't lie, it is tough, painful, frustrating, painful, tiring, and did I mention painful to have to put Bradley through this pain or to watch him and try valiantly to bring some sense of relief to the pain, but knowing I can't.

I could get angry. I could yell, kick, scream, rant and rave myself, but that won't do any good and it will only cause Bradley more stress if he hears it which will in turn stress him which will in turn cause him to scratch and make his wounds worse.

How can I not do those things? Where does the patience to work through the screaming, kicking, wiggling, etc. come from?

God. He has to be holding me. Not just carrying me, but holding me as a mother holds her baby who is in pain. Who is crying. Who just doesn't understand and wants it to all go away.

Have I wondered what I've done for Bradley to be in so much pain? Yes, but I received the peace I needed one night while reading the Bible. December 18, 2007 God revealed to me the answer to my prayers and I trust him. He led me to John 9:1-3 (1) As he went along he saw a man blind from birth. (2) His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (3) "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

My reflections from that day: How often do we question God about the "shortcomings" or "problems" we have? How often do we blame Him or set blame on ourselves? When truly it could be that we are the way we are so the work of God can be displayed.

Bradley was almost 2 when I wrote that and I was pregnant with Tori Brooke. We had already been battling Bradley's eczema, asthma, and allergies for about 1 1/2 years. That winter things were looking up with the eczema, Bradley was not hospitalized with his asthma that winter (of course we were doing breathing treatments twice a day to prevent it), and we had his allergies....for the most part...under control.

March/April of 2008, just a few months after my revelation, the eczema reared its ugly head. We tried to go back on the same meds that had worked the previous year, but insurance refused to cover the med (Protopic) which out of pocket was about a $400 drug. Needless to say...not in our ability to pay for. The insurance had sent a lovely letter telling us all we really needed to do was make sure to have a humidifier and use lotions, lotions, and maybe some hydrocortizone. Isn't it nice to know our insurance providers now know us as patients and are medically licensed to make such decision?

The dermatologist fought it and insurance finally approved the med. for a total of 1 year. Unfortunately, the med did not work this time. Summer was awful, Bradley's legs and feet stayed torn up with sores.

In August we saw an allergist and it was confirmed that Bradley definitely had an allergy to milk, but also to egg (will probably never get to have anything with egg), citric acid, and slight indications for peanuts. Clearing out our pantry, fridge, and freezer, and then shopping that weekend, we realized there was no way we could work through this if we focused on what he couldn't have so we decided to focus on what he could have.

Unfortunately elliminating all these foods from Bradley's diet did nothing to help his eczema. Well, maybe a slight improvement, but not enough. Since August Bradley has been on antibiotics about 8 times and of those 8 at least 6 or 7 were because of staph infection.

The most painful part was knowing just how painful my own eczema is and knowing that my baby has it so much worse.

We finally switched dermatologists because the one we had been seeing since June 2007 rarely wanted to see Bradley, never spent more than 2 minutes with him, and was insistant on using meds. that were obviously not working. It was all about us...we needed to make sure he didn't get hot. Now, I don't know about you, but have you ever tried to stay cool in South Carolina from the months of March to November?

In December Bradley's allergist finally prescribed a medication that cleared his hands up in a heart beat. When Bradley returned for a follow up with his dermatologist, she immediately got frustrated, said not to use that med and prescribed 2 more meds that were stronger. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but if the weaker medicine is working, wouldn't you continue using it until you needed to move to something stronger? That was it...we were going to find a new dermatologist.

In January we started seeing Dr. WELCH(dermatologist). She has been wonderful. She and her staff spend a lot of time with Bradley, she swabbed all areas of his skin that had rashes or sores, and took him off the 6 other meds he was on...replaced with only 2!!!

These new meds were working for a time. Fortunately Dr. WELCH was seeing Bradley every other week to get his eczema under control. Around 2 weeks ago, things took a turn for the worse....again.

Bradley woke on a Saturday morning (or was it Friday) he was drenched in blood, his covers were soaked....he had not only scratched open sores, but created new ones (graphic pictures below...view if you wish). This time the wounds were deep. We were able to keep things somewhat under control for a few days by bandaging (wrapping so B. looked like a mummy). Then on Tuesday the 17 I got a call from school. Bradley had managed to tear open his thumbs...and they were deep. The derma. saw him that day, we started wet wrap therapy, no steroids...only topical antibiotics and vaseline to keep moist. Returned 3 days later...things looking up.

Now we are seeing dermatologist weekly. We've been doing complete wet wrap therapy...meaning B. is in wet PJs all night with a dry fleeced footed PJs over top. This has been working, but now Bradley is starting to scratch again.

This Wednesday we are going to push for MUSC...this was suggested to us 2 weeks ago.

Now that you know what's been going on, let me get back to the picture I was painting in the opening of this post.


Bath time is always a problem. Water is painful....and I believe it because I think it is painful. With wet wrap therapy B. has to soak in tub to soften up skin to be more receptive to soak in moisture from vaseline. First night was okay....we went swimming in tub. Next night so-so and by night 3 I had to hold my baby in the tub. If you've ever tried to hold a determined 3 year old down, you would know how difficult this can be just physically.

Now imagine having to do it while your child is screaming as if he is being scalded in boiling water while someone else peels his skin off with a potato peeler and multiply that by at least 100. Not an easy task...physically, mentally, or emotionally. And that is our nightly ritual.

A couple nights ago we finally got Bradley to bathe without one of us swimming...we bought those crayons you use to draw on tub walls. This worked for 1 1/2 nights. We are once again back to holding him down in the tub.

How can I do this night after night?

There is only one answer.... His hands are holding me...as I mentioned above.

I emailed my mom last week, but feel I must share my story here as well. I really feel a presence around me right now. There are certain areas around my shoulders and down my back that just feel as if someone is there, supporting me, holding me up...it can only be Him....

I pray that He continues to hold me safe in His arms. I wish I had words to really describe what it feels like to be held but I don't. And to think...if I feel this speechless about what it feels like to be held by Our Savior in this earthly body...imagine what it will feel like when we go home to Him.

I know I've carried on, but I feel my story needs to be shared. I am tired, weak, weary, worn, hurting, frustrated, impatient, and sometimes feel as if I can't go on one more day like this, but His presence surrounds me telling me I can. That He is here and this too shall pass.

We really appreciate all your prayers during this time.

Lord, I pray that you continue to hold me, carry me, and keep whispering those words of encouragement in my ear. I need you and cannot do this without you. I trust in you that our pain and suffering right now will be to glorify you in the end. It is in Christ's name I pray...Amen.

By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

(Chorus 2x)

A Dinosaur Sneezed

(Some gross content below....don't say I didn't warn you.)

My van has been at Addy Dodge for the past couple of days to have the locks fixed, which means I've been borrowing my parents truck. Well, not just any truck. A big ole Dodge Ram which Bradley has loved since his first ride in it.

Needless to say, Bradley's been excited about going anywhere the past view days and has even decided "I want to keep it. I love it." This is all I heard yesterday when we talked about going to pick up mommy's van.

Finally the time came and we were all headed to Lexington and Bradley repeating over and over he didn't want to get my van he wanted to keep the truck.

We stopped at Hudson's for barbecue, rice, hash, etc. at which point Bradley was finally distracted from the fact that we would be picking up my van. His new topic of conversation became "I really like barbecue. I love it." And from the amount of food he ate off Mark's plate, I can believe it. Mark almost didn't have enough for left overs.

We got back in the truck and were once again on our way. A short while later I hear, "I have a burger."

"What? You want a burger?"

"No mommy, a boorger."

"Oh, a booger! DID YOU PICK YOUR NOSE?"

"No.........(long pause) a dinosaur sneezed!"

Ah...out of the mouths of babes.

We eventually got my van and daddy drove it home while Bradley stayed with mommy in the truck. Which of course we had to drive today....as we were leaving the house this morning the conversation returned to "I don't want to take the car, I want to take the truck. I like the truck. I love it."

Falling Makes Us Stronger

**The post below is an entry from my journal on 4-18-07 with some additional comments.

Genesis 16:13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."

(This was spoken by Hagar, during her encounter with God after she fled Sarai, wife of Abram.)

Isn't it wonderful to know that God is everywhere. He's there to carry us as well as to let us fall so that we may become stronger. The best part~His love is unconditional~all we have to do is ask Him to be part of our lives and even when we don't He's still there.

I may not be well versed in the scripture, but I know He's there. I couldn't have made it where I am today without Him. He truly wants us to turn our burdens and sorrows over to Him. He's the ultimate Father. He's forgiving and loving. I pray that I can uphold His holy name and I pray He helps me as I try to teach my children the path to Him.

God, thank you for each day and the many blessings you bestow upon me. Also thank you for the trials~they are what makes me stronger.

Reflections added today....

God sees us no matter who we are and no matter where we are. He sees our greatest happiness, our deepest sorrows, and our sharpest pains. We cannot hide from Him. What we must do is become honest with ourselves, admit to our inadequacies, and turn our lives over to God. It is through him that all things are made possible, but He cannot help us if we don't give Him the chance.

We must remember, as I stated in my reflection above, that even though God sees us at all times and He is always there, He is not always going to carry us, He will let us fall sometimes.

(From 4-25-07 journal entry)

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

We must turn to God in all parts of our lives, but especially the trials. We need to trust in Him and know He has a purpose for what we experience. You never know when the trials we go through are so we can come through to lead and do great things to glorify His name.

(New reflections as of 2-12-09)

We must also remember that just because we are Christians, it does not mean our lives will be full of happiness and swimming with the current. Instead, we need to realize that we will still have trials and tribulations. There will be times we have to swim against the current. Those are all a part of God's plan. We must also accept that these trials are there so we may become stronger.

It's no different that a parent watching as their child learns to walk and takes fall after fall. We allow it to happen because it will make our kids stronger. Later we watch as they learn to ride a bike, only to fall and scrape their knees. Yes, we could protect and keep our kids in a bubble, but we would rob our children of becoming stronger. It is the same when our children have their hearts broken, we don't like it and we want desperately to prevent it, but we know that we need to allow it to happen so our children become stronger.

God is our Father and He also must allow us to fall so that we may become stronger. We need to remember to look at him as our children look at us. When they fall off their bike, who do they run to to fix it? When their heart gets broken, who holds them as they sob?

So often it is during the tough times, when God has allowed us to fall that we turn away and say, "Well, God must not care about me." or "Why should I believe, there's nothing good in my life." I could go on and on. We need to be more like children who turn to their parents, we need to turn to the Father, cry, turn it over to Him, and trust that, just like we as parents will do what we can to help and be there for our children, He will be there for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to remember that you are my Father. You are always around. You know my very thoughts, feelings, breaths I take. You know it all. Help me to remember that I need to accept the trials and use them as You intend... to make me a stronger person. It is in Your name I pray. Amen.

Uninhibited

A few weeks ago in Sunday School we talked about why it is sometimes hard for us as Christians to share our faith with others. We were even asked how many of us have ever lifted our hands in worship. Another question had us answer the question: Where have we seen Jesus or the work of God? (I know I didn't phrase the question exactly, but it's a close summary).

First and foremost I believe if you want to see the work of Jesus you only have to look to the nearest child. As scripture even states:

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3 (New International Version)

Bradley is a living example of this. I thought as a mom I was in awe of every new venture he conquered....rolling over, talking, crawling, walking, running, smiling (the list could go on). Then I thought when I would catch him reading or singing that watching him learn was the best. And afterall a major reason I became a teacher is because I love to watch a child learn, to see the exact moment the lightbulb turns on. But now I am overwhelmed with the sensations I feel watching my son grow in Christ.

Now some will say, "Oh, but he's only 3 what can he know."

I must say, he knows more than many adults I know do.

A few weeks ago I decided to take him to early service because a group from my Sunday school class was performing and I knew there would be drums. And Bradley loves drums. During that service I watched and listened as Bradley eagerly ate up every song, raised his hands, danced, and even added a few "Wooos" which of course brought quiet chuckles from the congregation.

In the beginning the pastor asked "If we had one song to sing while lying in a ditch somewhere, what would it be?" Or something close to that. Of course I didn't think Bradley was paying any attention because I barely could from trying to get him to sit still and be quiet. Then after the video and the pastor began talking again and I believe asked the question again, Bradley started singing...."Jesus loves me this I know, the Bible tells me so...." First I had never heard Bradley sing this song (even when I've tried to get him to sing it with me). Second, he was right on target with what the pastor was talking about. Then came the music and Bradley letting his free spirit celebrate God with dancing, trying to sing, clapping, and "Wooo"

Later that day while driving to my mom's he said, "I see Jesus."

My response, "Where?"

With the attitude of duh mom, "On your car."

That was all a few weeks ago, last Friday on the way to daycare we were listening to WMHK like
we always to do and Bradley piped up, "I saw Jesus." Again I asked where and he said, "When I was a baby."

Today, I was once again reminded of his childlike spirit and uninhibited ways when we once again attended early service. Of course as the mom I'm trying to get him to settle down, learn the "rules" of going to church, and praying desperately that the people around us could be understanding. Finally we got to the part where we stood to sing a song and Bradley was really getting into it. At first I held him up so he could see, but he was dancing with such emotion I asked if he wanted to stand beside the pew in the aisle to dance.

He let his spirit flow as he danced, raised his hands high, and gave that priceless grin of his.

Of course I should've known I had started something, because he wanted to sit in the aisle and I was whispering for him to get back to the pew. A few aisles back I heard a dear friend keep telling me..."He's fine, just let him sit there."

Well, sit there he did for a moment or two. Thankfully the group from Sunday school got up to perform shortly after that and Bradley was the first one standing (I think). When the guitar and drums started, Bradley's foot was stomping to the beat and it wasn't long before he was dancing.

Of course the music had to come to an end and it was soon time for communion. I watched as my son slowly made his way up the aisle. When he got really close to the front, he turned to whisper "Mommy, can I watch up here?" At that moment I'd already been praying hard for God to please let the congregation not be too upset and I was highly embarrassed thinking we've got a lot to work on, but then the most amazing thing happened. At least in my opinion.

As the pastor was preparing the bread and juice for communion and raising them to the Lord for thanksgiving, I watched as my son stood in the middle of the aisle at the very front and mimicked the pastor, then Bradley walked to kneel at the altar. (He's never been in service for communion before or seen anyone kneel there as far as I know).

When everyone was asked to come forward, he became lost in a sea of people and he was trying to make his way back to me. Linda was ahead of me and got Bradley. I heard the pastor say "good job" and knew that he had accepted bread and dipped it in the juice.

As if that weren't enough, on the way home I asked Bradley if he was filled with the Spirit, if he was filled with Jesus. Not thinking a three year old could 100% understand, but knowing that now is the time to have these conversations. Bradley informed me "Yes, Jesus went in my mouth." It took me a moment to realize what he meant, then he said, "I ate Jesus." Ah, out of the mouths of babes.

I realize now that if I had put my foot down (and yes I know he needs to learn and if I allow things to happen now, then they will only be reinforced an become habit), but if I had put my foot down and insisted he return to the pew:

• Would I have seen my child attempting to mimic such a special ceremony?
• Would Bradley have understood what he was doing when he ate the bread that represents Jesus' body and the juice that represents the blood He shed?
• Would I be the one to stifle his childlike spirit that so freely worships without fear of what others are thinking?

If we as adults really want to become more like little children, then we must look to the very model of what we are trying to become. We must look at the little children as they soak up the lessons and respond in song, dance, sitting in the middle of the aisle at the front of the church all so they can watch.

Lord, You know my heart and You know that I struggle right now because I don't want to be so inhibited, I long to worship freely, not hesitate before raising my hands high in praise, not hesitate about speaking out and not wait to see what others are doing or saying. I ask that you continue to remind me to be more like little children. For it is in Christ's name I pray. Amen.

I Demand to Speak with a Manager

Last night we went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday's with my parents. Bradley and Tori were very well behaved....well we did have to tell Bradley more than once to get back in his seat. Things went like a normal meal out together until the end.

We had already paid and were waiting for the waitress to return. I was talking with my mom and getting Tori ready to leave when I heard my husband say "Well, this isn't the Wild Hare, we can't do that here."

To give a little background the Wild Hare is another restaurant that we frequent with my parents. By frequent I mean we would eat there once a week. We still go there often, but are trying to venture out once in a while...it's just hard to find cheap food and drinks anyplace else.

Back to what I overheard. Apparently Bradley told Mark he wanted to watch cartoons and Mark was trying to explain that we couldn't do that. Bradley, having been to the Wild Hare often and knowing good and well that tv channels at restaurants can be changed, insisted that the channel could be changed. He told us that he didn't like what was on...2 basketball games and I'm not sure about the other tv since there was a commercial on.

Mark's response, thinking it would be the end of the conversation, "Well we would have to talk to a manager about that."

Of course my 3 year old replies, "Well, daddy get the manager."

At this time Mark's trying to explain the conversation to us and trying to distract Bradley since we're getting ready to leave. When Bradley once again demands "Daddy get the manager."

At this point we're all talking about leaving and getting up so nothing ever came of it, but yeah, my three year old is already being taught, "If you don't like something go to mom or dad, if you don't like that go to a grandparent, and if that doesn't work "get the manager."