This one is for grandma

Autumn (2), Aubrey (5), Nolan (2), Blake (6), Adelyne (3)

Nolan's heart

There has not been much change in Nolan's heart conditions this past year!! Yay! That is a huge praise and one we are thanking God for today. Our doctor did tell us that she feels it's very likely Nolan will have to have a mitral valve replacement at some point as the mitral valve leaks and is narrow (stenosis). Her hope would be that he would be at least a teenager before that became necessary. So, for today, because we can't worry about tomorrow, we are releived and thankful. We thank you all for your prayers today and always.

Mommy Guilt

I've spent some time recently reading back over past blogs, and I was disappointed in myself for unintentionally not blogging more about Adelynne. There's really no good reason for it, it just seems as though she's the least "squeaky wheel" so to say in this family...currently...you know it changes often... Right now, Aubrey, the oldest, is just entering into a phase of exciting stuff (more blog worthy events I suppose)...playing T-ball, graduating from preschool, field trips at school, preparing for kindergarten, etc. I constantly find myself saying, "Sweetie, I know you want to do it too, but you're just not old enough yet. Aubrey didn't get to do this stuff when she was your age. When you get a little older, you can do it too." At the same time, the little brother has 3 visitors each week for his 3 rounds of therapy, he's a regular at doctors offices and we're always admiring his accomplishments. I quite often worry that my sweet little Adelynne will feel like the middle child. Of course, there are always downfalls to each position in the family...Aubrey is the guinea pig, we probably expect more out of her because she's the oldest, Nolan is the baby, he's the last to do everything, he's essentially got 3 girls who want to be his mom and coddle him daily...I mean, come on, we all have our "lot in life." But, I don't want anyone, myself mainly, to feel as though I overlook Adelynne. While I could take less of her daily whining, this little one is quite sweet..."Momma, I love you," I hear this often and unprompted. She wants to "help me" dress Nolan after his bath. She loves coloring pictures for friends and family. She can often be found curled up somewhere looking at books. She loves dressing up. She's the first one up EVERY morning, which can be annoying sometimes, but, other times, we get a good hour with just her sometimes before the others kiddos get up. She Demands to pray every meal and every bedtime...quite frankly, she monopolizes prayer time:) I love this little girl with every inch of me.

One benefit of having a teacher for a husband is that he is home a little more over the summer (the mowing business does keep him pretty busy). So, I took Adelynne to the Children's Museum today, just her, no Aubrey, no Nolan, no Daddy. We did what she wanted...when she wanted. I didn't have to chase after Nolan, I didn't have to make sure Aubrey stayed in the line of sight. I was able to follow Adelynne around, watch her play, respond willingly and genuinely to each of her, "Look Mommy"'s, "Watch this Mommy"'s, "Let's do this Mommy"'s. I sat and watched her pedal a tractor back and forth for 20 minutes without ever having to take my eyes off of her. I got to have my arm around her the entire time she ate her lunch. I got so many kisses and hugs today....and I loved it.

Contrary to my lack of blogs, I'm madly entertained by, and in love with Adelynne. She brings me much joy. I love having her around. I love that I'm her mommy. I loved our "date" today Adie, thanks for hangin' with me.

She loved the carousel.



Planting her garden.

Brandon and I would appreciate your prayers for Nolan's annual heart check on Thursday, July 15th. With Williams syndrome comes the likelihood of a heart condition called stenosis. This is the definition from the Williams Syndrome Association Website...

Heart and blood vessel problems

The majority of individuals with Williams syndrome have some type of heart or blood vessel problem. Typically, there is narrowing in the aorta (producing supravalvular aortic stenos is SVAS), or narrowing in the pulmonary arteries. There is a broad range in the degree of narrowing, ranging from trivial to severe (requiring surgical correction of the defect). Since there is an increased risk for development of blood vessel narrowing or high blood pressure over time, periodic monitoring of cardiac status is necessary.

He has 3 mild to medium conditions that we were told last year that if the condition stays the same, we are fine, however, if it worsens, we'll be looking at another surgery. Obviously, that is not what we want, so we ask for you prayers.

Also, Nolan will be having eye muscle repair, again, on July 29th. They will also be opening up his tear ducts as well.

more pics

Brandon and I out on the golf course

The Mosson clan 2010

Grandma Ellen and her little boy

Beautiful girl

"But mommy, I don't want to go home!"

Book time before bed

Nolan loved uncle Phil

Adelynne passed out on my lap right before dinner

Nolan was on a paddle boat with Grandma Ellen and when he passed ours, this is the face we got. :)

Precious face, precious boy

sassy little walk

more pool time

"CANNONBALL!!!!!!!!!!!"

"WHEEEEEE!"

We're back!

We left Friday for a quick 3 day vacation...our first in 4 years! The kids were pumped for "camping" in cabins at General Butler State Park in Carrollton Kentucky. The Freeland side of the family (my mom's side) started this tradition about 20 years ago for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. Every summer we all meet down there to swim, boat, play games, eat, take walks, ride bikes, golf, etc for a few days. We've had a break for several years as my grandpa hadn't been in good enough shape to travel. So, this was our first year back at it, and, we're reserved for next year as well. Our family also stopped at the Creation Museum on our way back. all packed and ready to go Grandma Ellen, Aunt Sarah, Papaw Dave, and the kiddos all set to drive

Adelynne passed out before leaving Plainfield

We stopped at Not Just Popcorn on our way...over 200 flavors

Pool time

My baby is 2!!!!! That's right, our third and final child is 2 years-old today. For me that thought is crazy in a few ways, one of my thoughts is, if my third child is 2, how old does that make my other 2? And, then I think, where in the world did these kids come from and why are they calling me mom?

Well, back to my original thought,

Nolan buggie has been with us for 2 years now, and what a 2 years it has been. This kid is a literal light to all he comes in contact with. Children and adults who come across Nolan are drawn to him. He's such a sweet spirit with a magnetic personality...it's so neat to see others interact with him. He truly is the definition of joy. Nolan is joy, he has joy, he brings so much of it. When I hold him and love on him I think about how sad I would be without him. He's the last piece of the puzzle that fits into our family perfectly...most days even, he's the glue that holds us all together...me together. In his short life, I've cried more than I ever have, have never had more fear and doubt...in his short life, he's been to more doctors I can count, has developed awesome relationships with his 3 therapists, has had 4 surgeries (with one being planned as we speak), and has fought tooth and nail for every single milestone he's achieved. But, along with that, the happy times he's brought us, quite frankly, make me forgot about all the bad. It's pure joy for me to watch him toddle around our house, make messes of cocoa mix and eggs from the trash, play in the toilet, take him diaper off and then poop and smear it down our hall (yuck!)...I think you get the picture! I love, adore, admire, would die for, desperately need this amazing kid.

Happy birthday sweet Nolan...our joy and light! Smooches to you on your day!