Happy Halloween!!

I spoke with Cincinnati yesterday and unless there is a cancellation prior to this...we will be headed to Cincinnati January 8th through the 10th. We have appointments all three days but Carson goes to the OR for several scopes on the 9th and will stay in the hospital that night. I told them that we would be happy to come earlier if there is a cancellation. I am just praying for God's perfect timing...in regards to weather and traveling conditions, lodging, as well as Carson's health.

Here are some pictures of pumpkin fun!

Carson was practicing the splits apparently, he was able to just keep on playing too! Hilarious!!

Preston is getting the pumpkins ready...

Claiming their pumpkins...

Uh oh...looks like they picked the same one : )

Oh no Mom, I didn't taste the pumpkin

This is fun!!

The finished product (Preston's, Mom's, and mine)

Better try this one too!

Yay!! I got all three tops off!

So excited for Halloween!

Acting like he is a monkey...haha

Happy boy!

 I will post pictures later of their FIRST Halloween costumes!

New prayer request!

Just spoke with scheduling at Cincinnati Children's...unfortunately they are scheduling into January already. So my prayer request is for a cancellation before then...I was hoping for the end of November or beginning of December! Thought I would just send along the request for prayer : )

Cincinnati Bound...Hallelujah!!!

I received word today from Cincinnati that his case has been authorized by insurance. Yes!!!! We are so excited! We do not have a date yet and I know they still have a form that takes approximately two weeks to complete but hopefully I will have a date by tomorrow or at least early next week. Thank you for all the prayers and keep them coming for the logistics of the trip and the outcomes!

Back on track

Just to update everyone on the progress with Cincinnati...we have sent our letter of medical necessity and Dr. Costa, his ENT from Cardinal Glennon, agreed to write one and should have it completed today. This whole process is SO drawn out but we are trying to be as patient as possible. I'm hoping to at least find out next week if it has been authorized. From talking to the people at Cincinnati and Dr. Costa's office, they believe the visit SHOULD be authorized. We did go ahead and postpone any more surgeries in St. Louis until we go to Cincinnati.

The boys continue to do well...I think Kellen has hit a little growth spurt because he is eating more : ) That makes us ALL happy around here! And both boys are back to normal health which is also a HUGE blessing. It makes life much simpler, especially with Carson.

Nana and Kellen enjoying the beautiful weather!

A wonderful 'old' toy...

THE corner... "What?!?...I didn't make this mess"

"It wasn't me either!"

The new tunnel from Mimi and Papa

Reading bedtime stories

Carson looking outside (there was a diamond at just the right height to look out)

Sarah snuck around outside to get a picture : )

These were the boys faces when I tried on my wedding dress, on our anniversary! Priceless... (& Yes it still fit : )

Cardboard boxes are SO MUCH FUN!

Quick one...

Just to keep everyone in the loop...I spoke with a lady from Cincinnati Children's today, who is in charge of insurance preauthorization. The next step is having 1 or 2 Letters of Medical Necessity written stating the complexity and rarity of Carson's case and the need to gain medical care outside the state of Missouri. The parents are able to write one and then they highly recommend a physician write one. Thank you for the prayers! I am hoping this process doesn't take too long because we have a surgery in St. Louis already scheduled for the 24th and we were hoping we would know whether Carson was going to Cincinnati or not!

11 MONTHS!!

I can not believe these boys are going to be ONE in a month! ...How far we have come....and I can't wait to see the continued miracles!

I spoke with Cincinnati Children's yesterday and they have just started checking on insurance coverage so hopefully by the end of this week, we should now! Please be praying that Carson and Kellen can kick this bug they picked up. Kellen is still congested but seems pretty much back to normal. We have started breathing treatments with Carson and he seems to be doing better overall plus he's two top teeth are just about in so that just adds to it : (

We did get some pictures though... Sarah was out of town this weekend so we had some other special visitors come play (help)!

Auntie Julie

Look at those cheeks : )

You are SO funny Julie!

Playing with Julie and Aunt Marlene

Marlene's FAMOUS kisses!

Sweet laughter...11 months!!

Better hurry because I'm on the move!

Papa giving out horseback rides!! : )

Brothers!

Kellen just about knocked Carson over trying to get something!

NO MORE PICTURES!!!

Poppy and Kellen...you know babies don't feel the greatest when they just want to sit on your lap, but Kellen does have a pretty good seat : )

Cincinnati??

Quick update, a prayer request, and pictures...

Update: The boys (& Preston and I) LOVED their first trip to the Petelo and Nana and Poppy's house. We got to see lots of people and wish we could have seen everyone but the weekend was just not long enough. It had been a year since Preston and I were 'home' (in Rogersville). It was so good to be back! The trip to and from went fairly well. You can definitely tell that Carson is more used to long car rides but Kellen (& I) survived.

Prayer request: I spoke with Cincinnati Children's on Monday. The intake nurse took Carson's full medical history and then presented his case to the aero-digestive team (ENT, pulmonologist, and GI) yesterday. I got a call back yesterday and they are ready to go ahead with scheduling a full evaluation but we have to check with insurance first. I should be getting a call tomorrow or Monday to find out insurance approval and coverage. Cincinnati Children's is the leading hospital in the world for airway issues and reconstructions. So this is all very exciting but the biggest factor right now is whether insurance will cover it. We already have a surgery scheduled in St. Louis for next Wednesday but if we ARE going to go to Cincinnati, they encouraged us to hold off on surgery in St. Louis (just so there is less disturbance and manipulation of Carson's airway). I am just asking everyone to pray for direction, timing, and the best possible course of events for Carson's care...whether we go to Cincinnati now or in a couple years, whether with try less invasive surgeries in St. Louis first or not.

Pictures: Enjoy!!

Loaded down & ready to go (we also had Mom's car packed : )

Our welcoming crew at the Petelo!

Pat with the boys...One of the many might prayer warriors!

Kellen is showing Great Grampe the ropes

The gang...(the Big Ones & Little Ones)

Carson and Kellen's newest friend...Jace

It was GREAT to see these girls & meet Jace for the first time!

Playing in the puddles at home : )