A Big Announcement!

*Sorry this video didn't come out horizontal...just tilt your head! :)

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7-8

Although a lot of people have asked Zach and I what Kannon's seizures look like, I have never broadcasted it. Part of the reason was because Zach and I for personal reasons wanted to keep it a more private situation between close friends and family. Not because we were ashamed of it (we have never been that), but only because we didn't want others to be scared or hesitant with Kannon. I have finally decided to show what Kannon's seizures look like to everyone. My reasons being because had it not been for a video that I had come across on the internet, I wouldn't have known as early as I did that Kannon was having seizures. His seizures initially started out to be what looked like just a startle reflex, but then they progressed into something bigger. Did you know there are over 30 differenct types of seizures? When I thought of a seizure, I only pictured the full out convulsions, whole body seizing type of seizures. But that isn't always the case. There are myoclonic seizures, tonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures and the list goes on...anyway another HUGE part of why I am writing this post is because since we have started Kannon on the Ketogenic diet (May 16th 2011), he has had 2 FULL days without any seizures. That's a big deal. He never had a day up until this diet where he didn't have a seizure at some point. Sometimes he would have 20 (if not more) a day. The Ketogenic Diet is the last resort for many kids...after numerous medications has failed (a very frustrating process) and surgery considered & sometimes performed (however in Kannon's case, he wasn't considered a good candidate for surgery) it isn't until after everything has been tried that Dr's recommend the diet....however it is SOOOO important that people are educated on it for their sake, and their kids sake, so they can start finding SOMETHING out there that works for them as soon as possible. The longer it takes to find a solution, the higher the chances for more developmental delay/phsycomotor delay, head injury and other detrimental circumstances. I also wanted to extend a very heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who prayed for this to happen, to everyone who gave us encouragement and the strength to get through these tough times, and last but certainly NOT LEAST, those of you who have donated the money to Kannon to help make this substantial progress in his life possible. We have on order Kannon's wheelchair, his own stander, and we just received his bath chair last week. When you watch the videos above, remind yourself that those prayers you prayed or the money you donated, helped out a little boy in serious need of a miracle. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP AND ALL OF THE PRAYERS SENT OUR WAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

"Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice."

Psalm 55:17

A Father's Love

So we just celebrated Father's Day and we had a good day and went to my dads and cooked out on the grill, not to mention SWIM! As hot as it's been lately it feels so awesome to jump into a huge pool! But anyway, to get back on track, it has been weighing so heavy on my heart to pass on to everyone what kind of father Zach is. Zach and I met on a ski trip with our church in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Although we were in a lot of the same places at the same time before then, and even had a lot of the same friends, it is unfathomable to us how we didn't meet before that day. We were both like any other kid. We didn't take life as serious as we should and even took for granted the things we shouldn't. But at some point we gradually grew up ( a little bit ;) anyway) and as life threw its curve balls at us, we were forced to mature into young adults. Before mom was really sick, and before Kannon was even thought of, Zach gradually filled a spot in my heart that I didn't know was empty. And when the time came that some obstacles in my life began to get harder and harder to get through, he was always there by my side. Even when he didn't know what to say, or deep down couldn't really understand what I was going through he was still there. When I found out I was pregnant (not any details on the baby yet) he never showed an ounce of fear.....and when we were given all of the possible circumstances of what Kannon would be like when he was born, he might have been a little scared, but still never showed it. He only made sure that I was okay. When we went to Houston, TX to start Kannon on the Ketogenic Diet for his seizures, we had a nurse aide (her name was Jazzy) that would come in our room every so often and get Kannon's vitals and other stuff. When she got the scoop on Kannon's history/diagnosis, I will never forget what she turned to Zach and said. "I'm proud of you. When given all the reasons in the world to turn away. You're still standing here." It was the first time anyone has ever said something like that to zach. I instantly thought about Jazzy and wondered if she was speaking from experience. She opened my eyes to something I had honestly never considered. In some situations like our own, I am sure there are cases where the other spouse has bailed out. And left the job for only one to handle. I am so thankful for my husband and the love that we have for each other and our special little boy, Kannon. Kannon and I both are so blessed :)

A Moment of Frustration.

I know I have been pretty positive through this whole experience, but everyone is entitled to a moment of weakness, a little bit of tears, and an ounce of frustration. Well today is my day! Let me just say through this whole experience one important thing I have learned is to go above and beyond to protect and fight for my sons needs. That being said, I am going to vent. First I will explain the beginning of my day and finish with my rude encounter with "Grumpiest Old Man" (the sequel to Grumpier Old Men). I was actually having a good day despite all the things that could have ruined it. But so that doesn't happen, I will put it all on here, then move on! It started by receiving a bill for $193.00 from Walgreens Respiratory Care. This was a bill I knew would come knocking on our door if I didn't call DHS and get this one TINY mistake squared away....Kannon's birth date was wrong. No problem, right? Easy peasy lemon squeezy? WRONG. I have spent the last 3 months trying to call DHS and have them change Kannon's birth date from 4/11/10 to 4/1/10. After coutless transfers & leaving numerous messages on voicemails & some even to higher administration and STILL no answer or phone call back...I have finally received the bill that I had been trying all this time to avoid. URGH. It only took 3 more phone calls today and then an hour of being on hold to finally tell someone what I thought. After that it took approx 3 seconds to fix the mistake and then be done with it. Really? No one should have to go through all of that just to get a very simple problem fixed. Then, to make my day even more dandy.....I was circling the hospital parking lot trying to find a good enough place to park that wasn't too far away so I could unload everything of Kannon's, still get him up to his appointment, check him in on time, and then feed him at exactly 2:30pm (the ketogenic diet is VERY strict on feeding times). I forgot Kannon's handicapped tag so I was looking for a regular parking space just like anyone else should do. Finally, I found someone backing out! Yay! But about the time I started pulling in the spot, someone zipped in front of me and pulled their car in the space first! My very natural reaction was to honk. I didn't do it in a rude way, just a quick honk and that's it. And oh man, you would have thought all hell broke loose. This guy threw his car into reverse and waved me into the parking spot, and so I pulled in. As I am looking in my rear view mirror, I notice this guy getting out of his car, and as if that wasn't enough already, I noticed another lady getting out of the car sitting behind his. I'm thinking...great, really people? So then I get out of my car because obviously he had something he wanted to say and I wanted to hear it....and this older guy is screaming at me and telling me how he has been following her since she walked to her car (and I'm thinking "wow you sound like creeper") and how he is here for his radiation treatment and kept repeating "I have cancer!!! I have cancer!!" He must have been in his 50's or so. He went on and on about cancer this, treatment that....and I let him speak, and I stayed very calm, but underneath was different story, my blood was boiling and this guy was getting me so pumped the more he talked, but I contained myself until it was my turn to talk. And when my time came, I let him have it. I started out with first telling him "I don't even want to hear it. My mom lost her 6 year battle with cancer this last November and she never griped the way you're doing right now. In fact, had you comfronted me about your personal situation in a more generous manner then I would have been more than happy to give up this parking space so my handicapped son and I could park somewhere else. And why are you giving me a hard time about being more deserving of this parking space when there are are three open parking spaces specifically reserved closer to the entrance for those receiving radiation treatments? I am not moving my car. Sorry." Needless to say, he nor the lady said another word and both of them got back in their cars and drove off. I never thought I would have to argue with someone over parking in a normal parking spot...but it happend and I am still a little confused by that ;)

Kannon is Learning :)

Kannon has been working really hard in physical therapy trying to learn the word "go" and associate that word to make his toys play music. This video really captured how much he has accomplished and learning how to play. This is huge for him! We are excited, so we hope you enjoy it as well....just don't pay any attention to me talking ha ha that's the embarrassing part! Hey, whatever helps motivate him right?