Montreal

One of the two snow storms we experienced while in Montreal. Don't you just love the old buildings in historic cities, like Montreal? I do they do my heart good.

Nate having one of the series of X rays he gets every 6 months.....doesn't he look happy to be having his picture taken? Lol!


This little boy was in awe of Nathan! :) He was ecstatic to find out he was sharing a hospital room with Nate. And in return Nathan was so super sweet, he helped his new little buddy in any way he could! It made me so proud to see him being so compassionate and nurturing. The boys were at the school that the hospital provides for kids while they are receiving treatment away from home. That way the kids can keep up on their school work while they are hospitalized. Can I just say how much we love the Shriner's Hospital!

Nathan and I arrived home last night from a wonderful trip to Montreal, to see his specialists and receive an IV treatment that strengthens his bones. (In case you are new to our little blog, Nate is our oldest child and he was diagnosed at birth with Osteogensis Imperfecta/ Brittle bone disease.) We had a great time despite the lousy weather that included alot of snow, rain and freezing rain. We ate at his favourite restaurant we toured around and shopped til we dropped. Oh yeah and we saw all his doctors. :)

We had a mixed bag of news this trip, Nathan's bone density increased by 5% Yay! And he grew quite a bit. However his femur bones have become too deformed, so in September sometime Nathan will be going for surgery to replace the rod in his right femur and insert one in his left femur. We are waiting to hear from his orthopedic surgeons receptionist to book the dates. The good things are that once our Nate boy recovers, he will be able to walk with less of a limp, we have alot of time to prepare for our trip and the surgery, he won't miss his summer "fun" being in a double leg cast. There are lots of things to be thankful for. And we are going to focus on that heading into Nathans surgeries.

Its funny, because I think at the beginning of this year, as I was "mapping out" what our year would look like, with trips, work, etc. I was very conscious about instead of me making plans, taking the time to pray and listen to what God had planned for us this coming year. Well it kinda looking like 2011 maybe the Mervyn family's year of doctors appointment and hospital stays! lol! Not what I hoped for, but I can't help but see how big we have been blessed! I was reflecting on some of the points we learnt in small group last week about Life being a test, a trust, life is short, and that we are not home yet! And thinking how true all those points were!

I have to say 5 days away from home was therapeutic for this Mama. I missed my family that stayed home. But boy was it great to have some time to just spend with Nathan! It also gave me some perspective on all of our family has been through these last couple weeks. I feel ready to be back and consider it such a privilege to be a Mom of 4 beautiful amazing children. Also I think it was a little eye opening for Howard to be alone with 3 of our munchkins for 5 days. :) They had a wonderful time, but my honey was glad our flight made it home last night! lol!

We still have heard nothing from the doctors about Addison. We were told 4-6 weeks and next week will be 4 weeks, hopefully we get an appointment soon! She is doing well, and survived 5 days without me much to my dismay! :) I am just kidding! I am very proud she did so well without me.

Nathan had his friends birthday party tonight, and that will be the next thing I blog about, but I want to enjoy my last night with my husband for 24 nights!

I want to thank you all again for your love, prayers and support. Your comments on this blog, facebook and emails have brightened our days and lifted us up when it felt we couldn't make one more step!