FROM HEAVEN AND EARTH ♥♥THE ORTON FAMILY♥♥

Thursday, April 16, 2009

FEVER BOY

Only Ben could make wearing a facecloth

LOOK GOOD!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

RSV POSITIVE

RSV is a NASTY bug for kids like Ben.

He could use your prayers.

Still spiking high temps.

Thank you!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

HOME LONG ENOUGH...

...to have some birthday cake,

before getting a first class trip

back to the PICU.

Our home away from home.
(sigh)

Monday, April 13, 2009

NEEDING SUMMER

PLEASE...I need summer here - STAT!

This poor boy can't take another illness.

He's brewing something...AGAIN!

His little body is tired.

And so is his mother.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

It's always interesting to me the emotions that come rolling out once I jump back in to everyday, normal life. Mostly because I'm tired, physcially, mentally and emotionally spent. It's what I like to call the 'let down' from the hospital. I put on my brave face and swallow all the stress and emotions of the situation, until I come home. Being surrounded by sick children is just not normal. Sitting in an Intensive Care Unit for 26 days straight is just not normal. Seeing your child COVERED with needle marks because he is such a hard stick is not normal. Wondering how much longer your son can go through these illnesses is just not normal. But, I also know how privelaged I am to be caring for such an incredible little boy and I would do it again and again and again. SO... when I first come home, sometimes I cry. Sometimes I don't want to show my face in public for a little while. It can all be overwhelming. People that I run into have 'heard' about our big adventure, but might not know details and so they ask. Then I tell the story....again. Depending on my mood at the moment, I might smile or I might cry. I'm what you would call unpredictable. I'm also tired. (did I mention that already?) This whole trip has finally caught up with me. I'm plain exhausted - to the point that I feel physically ill. It happens. It's even better when people LET you know how tired you look. THAT'S my favorite. "You look TIRED". Thankyou, because those dark circles under my eyes didn't tell me that already. Just another reminder. That's why I appreciate this picture - it's one that Stevie took. She was a little off on her camera work...but I didn't mind. She mostly left out my tired eyes. It's also captures how I feel. I'm happy to be home. I'm happy that Ben is still with us. I'm happy to be with my family again. I'm happy to be making them dinners and doing their laundry. Things that are taken for granted each day. But I'm also hiding for a bit, atleast until I can get my crazy emotions under control. Just call me Willow.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

JUST BECAUSE

Just because I like this picture...

and partly because I think everyone is tired of me talking about my hospital life. So I guess I won't go into detail about how I AGAIN spent my day in the emergency room, or how Ben's sodium level was dangerously low. Instead, I'll share with you that this cute daughter of mine is such a joy to my life. I love that she is so happy and carefree most of the minutes in her day. I love that she is a peacemaker and that she can never hug her daddy enough. I love that she has a special way with animals and that she adores them. I love that she can laugh at her mistakes instead of getting annoyed. I love that she gets up HAPPY in the morning. It certainly helps me to be happier. I don't, however, love that her knees are swollen again due to JRA and that she couldn't run track today because they were so painful.