500

I would have never thought I would make the 500th post, I mean really 500 hundred posts. Starting in 2006 and consistently (and non-consistently) posting about my marriage, work-life, dogs, family, extended family, friends, really almost anything - clear into 2012. Over time this has become our family photo album and I have totally enjoyed sharing all of the ups and downs of life. I want to thank you all for watching, reading and commenting. Its really wild to think, 6 years ago we had no Kaylene or Madilene, we had two dogs and crazy busy careers. And I must say, I like what I have now better than then. Well, I miss the puppies. Anyway, here's looking at 2018 and 500 more posts and beyond!

Massive Victory!

Both girls took a nap at the same time in their own beds. Mom and Dad actually got two hours of free time. Now we need to conquer nighttime.

Holding the Baby

If you are wondering what Kaylene is saying at the end of the video, she is saying, "Big Daddy and Big Mama". Not sure why, she just is.

Part 1: 13 Days

Madilene Marie Kidney was born on February 4^th and was home for just one week before she became sick. This started the longest journey I have every taken as parent with a very sick child. Two days into the heavy breathing and hard coughing, we realized that Madi was experiencing much more than a cold. Her every breath was an effort, with haste we decided to take her to the hospital. In the ER she was quickly diagnosed with RSV, a very mild disease that we all get from time to time. Adults can shrug it off because we can make strong use or mouths for air when our noses otherwise get stuffed.

However, for a one-week-year-old this can be deadly. Babies do not use their mouths to breath and are solely dependant on their noses for air, and Madi’s nose was horrible clogged and inflamed. Long story short we ended up in the PICU with every tube and wire imaginable to help sustain Madi’s life. What a nightmare.

It was at this point I called a very close friend of mine who had a very similar experience; I immediately asked for pray and support. Dan (and his wife Jessy) knew just what to do, he told me he loved me and they both began to pray for us immediately. More friends and folks began to join in and rally behind our cause. From that point on I never lost hope and actually felt as “good” as a parent could be in the situation. God is amazing!

Part 2: Unified

After 8 days in the PICU the disease let up and Madi began to breathe in a normal fashion. Now what amazed me the most during this time was the way Jolene and I dealt with the pain and fear. We never cracked under pressure, we never fought, and we never doubted each other. Given our history this is a miracle.

Also, during this time our family rallied around us and took care of our two year old; we never worried for Kaylene’s well being. We had someone visit us on an almost daily basis and people brought us food and friendship. We had a constant stream of texts and phone calls and the well wishing was, at times, quite overwhelming.  Our friends and family circled up the wagons and protected the Kidney family from any harm or ill will. God is Amazing!

Part 3: Sisters

It’s over, I am so glad it is over. On Wednesday the hospital assigned us a bill of good health and we were released to go home. Yesterday, we decided to walk the mall and have lunch. Things went well, but I could tell I was very suspicions of people that coughed or sneezed. Regardless, for the first time since Madi has been born I felt like a family of four. God is Amazing!

I don’t think thank you is strong enough for all the help, love, friendship, support, prayer, food, hugs, talk, understanding, concern, wisdom and hope we received. But I will give it a shot. Slow build up…........... THANK YOU!