This morning after I dropped the older boys off at school I heard Mitchell talking to Caleb in the back seat. He was saying, "I'm sorry, Caleb, I'm sorry you miss Joshie and Mattie. They'll come back soon...Don't worry, I will play with you..." Then he held Caleb's hand all the way home. Sometimes It's hard to miss your big brothers.
Dear Caleb,
Thanks for comforting Mitchell in your own quiet way. I'm so glad you have each other!
Love, Mom
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Stroller buddies
Mitchell loves to ride in Caleb's wheel chair stroller.
He crawls up onto the footrest
He scoots Caleb's feet to the sides,
then sits right between them.
He holds onto Caleb's feet
whenever we go over bumps.
Brothers are good like that
They help keep you safe
when the ride gets a little bumpy.
He crawls up onto the footrest
He scoots Caleb's feet to the sides,
then sits right between them.
He holds onto Caleb's feet
whenever we go over bumps.
Brothers are good like that
They help keep you safe
when the ride gets a little bumpy.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Smile
Dear Caleb,
One of your dearest friends sent this song to us today because it made her think of you. What a lucky boy you are to have special people who love you! Thanks for making us smile!
(please turn off Caleb's play list if you'd like to hear it too!)
One of your dearest friends sent this song to us today because it made her think of you. What a lucky boy you are to have special people who love you! Thanks for making us smile!
(please turn off Caleb's play list if you'd like to hear it too!)
Introducing Caleb
Dear Caleb,
This weekend we went to an extended Moody Family gathering and you were able to be with many family members who have never met you before. I was able to visit with some of the children who were curious about your special body. I know that chidren have lots of questions about your body, so this is briefly how I introduced you to them:
"You might have questions about why Caleb looks a little bit different than other children. You might be wondering why Caleb has one eye that is always closed. That is just how Caleb's body was made, and we think it's pretty lucky! Since Caleb doesn't know how to talk, Heavenly Father helped him to have a special way to say 'I love you.' Caleb has one eye for looking, and one eye that winks. His wink is his secret code for 'I love you.'
You might be wondering why Caleb has this plastic piece on his neck. It's called a trach. Sometimes Caleb would have a hard time breathing, so we got a trach put in to give him another place to breath besides just the nose on his face! He is lucky because now he has 2 noses! Sometimes he even has boogies that come out of his trach, just like sometimes you have boogies that come out of your nose!
You might worry about the tube that comes out of Caleb's tummy. It's called a g tube. This is where we feed Caleb because he doesn't know how to eat with his mouth. You be concerned about the little cloth that is taped around his g tube because it looks like a bandage, but don't worry. It just helps him be more comfortable, and it doesn't hurt him at all! This tube that goes into his tummy is just like a big long straw, and his food is pumped right into his stomach! Caleb is lucky, because when we have to give him icky medicine, we can just squirt it in through the tube. He doesn't even have to taste it! Sometimes, though, when I'm eating a piece of licorice or a Popsicle, I put it in Caleb's mouth so he can taste it, because all kids need to taste sweets, right?
Caleb doesn't feel sad to have a special body, he feels happy because he knows that it's a great big blessing to have a body! Just like you and I have special jobs to do on the earth, so does Caleb! Caleb is lucky because he doesn't know how to make mistakes, he only knows how to love. That makes him really special. He can help people remember what Heaven feels like. He reminds people about Heavenly things.
Even though Caleb can't talk, he can help you feel things in your heart that are true. He is a great missionary for Heavenly Father. I'm so lucky to be his mom, because sometimes I get to explain to people why they feel a special feeling when they are with Caleb.
No matter what challenges we have, Heavenly Father will always help us to fulfill our mission on the earth. Just like he helps Caleb, he will help you do all that he wants you to do too!
This weekend we went to an extended Moody Family gathering and you were able to be with many family members who have never met you before. I was able to visit with some of the children who were curious about your special body. I know that chidren have lots of questions about your body, so this is briefly how I introduced you to them:
"You might have questions about why Caleb looks a little bit different than other children. You might be wondering why Caleb has one eye that is always closed. That is just how Caleb's body was made, and we think it's pretty lucky! Since Caleb doesn't know how to talk, Heavenly Father helped him to have a special way to say 'I love you.' Caleb has one eye for looking, and one eye that winks. His wink is his secret code for 'I love you.'
You might be wondering why Caleb has this plastic piece on his neck. It's called a trach. Sometimes Caleb would have a hard time breathing, so we got a trach put in to give him another place to breath besides just the nose on his face! He is lucky because now he has 2 noses! Sometimes he even has boogies that come out of his trach, just like sometimes you have boogies that come out of your nose!
You might worry about the tube that comes out of Caleb's tummy. It's called a g tube. This is where we feed Caleb because he doesn't know how to eat with his mouth. You be concerned about the little cloth that is taped around his g tube because it looks like a bandage, but don't worry. It just helps him be more comfortable, and it doesn't hurt him at all! This tube that goes into his tummy is just like a big long straw, and his food is pumped right into his stomach! Caleb is lucky, because when we have to give him icky medicine, we can just squirt it in through the tube. He doesn't even have to taste it! Sometimes, though, when I'm eating a piece of licorice or a Popsicle, I put it in Caleb's mouth so he can taste it, because all kids need to taste sweets, right?
Caleb doesn't feel sad to have a special body, he feels happy because he knows that it's a great big blessing to have a body! Just like you and I have special jobs to do on the earth, so does Caleb! Caleb is lucky because he doesn't know how to make mistakes, he only knows how to love. That makes him really special. He can help people remember what Heaven feels like. He reminds people about Heavenly things.
Even though Caleb can't talk, he can help you feel things in your heart that are true. He is a great missionary for Heavenly Father. I'm so lucky to be his mom, because sometimes I get to explain to people why they feel a special feeling when they are with Caleb.
No matter what challenges we have, Heavenly Father will always help us to fulfill our mission on the earth. Just like he helps Caleb, he will help you do all that he wants you to do too!
Moody Missionaries
Nana and Poppa just returned from serving as mission presidents in the Baltimore Maryland mission! Poppa hasn't seen Caleb for 3 years! They came to visit this week, and we have loved being with them again! They even brought Caleb some special surprises!
When they were set apart for their mission, I had the sweet feeling that Caleb would still be with us when they returned. I know that Caleb has received some special blessings as a result of their faithful service. Thank you Mom and Dad Moody for your example and love!
When they were set apart for their mission, I had the sweet feeling that Caleb would still be with us when they returned. I know that Caleb has received some special blessings as a result of their faithful service. Thank you Mom and Dad Moody for your example and love!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Zoo with You!
Caleb went to the ZOO for the first time today! It is so sweet to go on a family outing all together ! I hope I won't ever take that for granted.
Dear Caleb,
I'm so tickled you were able to visit the zoo today. You are such a sweet little monkey!
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Brotherly love
There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda
Matthew always finds a few minutes each day to be with Caleb. When I happen to peek in on those moments, it truly is a sacred glimpse. Matthew will gently put Caleb's arms around his neck so that he can feel a hug from him. Caleb lights just lights up!
I know one day Caleb will run to Matthew, wrap him in a Celestial embrace and thank him for being such a special brother.
Monday, August 3, 2009
O2
Guess who hasn't needed oxygen for 5 whole days...........!!!
You guessed it... SUPER Caleb!
I love you, my sweet boy!
Love,
Mom
You guessed it... SUPER Caleb!
I love you, my sweet boy!
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Caleb's wheels!
For Caleb's birthday in January we were surprised with an incredibly generous gift from anonymous family and friends.... we used it to purchase Caleb a new stroller made especially for kids like him! It arrived in the mail on Monday and I love it! If you'd like to read about all of the snazzy features click here!It is PERFECT for Caleb AND I can actually lift it, AND it actually folds to a manageable size, AND it even fits in the car! I am so excited! Thank you to our dear family and friends....we are truly thankful, incredibly humbled and completely tickled!
We decided to break in Caleb's new ride at Bridal Veil Falls
We decided to break in Caleb's new ride at Bridal Veil Falls
My sweet little buddy
Caleb and I walked up the path while the other boys hiked on the mountain side...
Caleb loves his snazzy new stroller!
We loved the Heavenly surroundings of the mountains, and we loved being able to take our Wink from Heaven with us!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My home run boy...
Caleb came with us to watch a base ball game for Family Home Evening!
He sat through a few innings in his stroller,
He sat through a few innings in his stroller,
But he wanted to get out so he could see all the action!
We love our home run boy!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sickly
For the past 18 months Caleb has battled one illness after another. A few days ago I was rocking him, and I was praying about how I could help him be more comfortable. I started to wonder if I just needed to accept that Caleb is sickly child. I wondered if I was just in denial every time I hope for the current illness to be the last one for a while. But as I thought about it, I realized I'm not in denial. I will never see Caleb as a sickly child because I know him, and he is anything but sickly. Caleb doesn't let his physical limitations impede his ability to be true to his mission on the earth. I will always continue to hope for better health, but I know that Caleb isn't broken, sickly or compromised. He is Caleb.
Dear Caleb,
Thank you for allowing me to take care of your sweet little body. Thank you for touching me with your light, even when you don't feel well. I hope that when my body doesn't always cooperate with me, that my spirit will continue to shine the way that yours does. Thank you for showing me who you are.
Love,
Mom
Dear Caleb,
Thank you for allowing me to take care of your sweet little body. Thank you for touching me with your light, even when you don't feel well. I hope that when my body doesn't always cooperate with me, that my spirit will continue to shine the way that yours does. Thank you for showing me who you are.
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The great blow-out disaster!
(This one's for you, uncle Jacob) and any of the rest of you that don't mind a good p**p story!
As previously noted, Caleb was diagnosed with a bladder infection and so we immediately put him on an antibiotic. When we start Caleb on antibiotics, we also have to be prepared for some turbo powered diarrhea! Being the planner that I am, I tried to help Caleb have a bowel movement 2 hours before our trip to Primary Children's hospital, but had no results...nothing...nada...ZIP. So, when the time came we got every one packed in the car and headed to Salt Lake. After a few minutes we passed a couple of dead raccoons on the road. "Boy those Raccoons really stink" I said. Then after thinking about it, Dallan and I looked at each other and said "Or what if it's Caleb..." We stopped at our pharmacy's drive up window to grab some of Caleb's medications, and decided to do a quick check on Caleb. Dallan reached into his car seat and when he inched Caleb up to check down yonder, he found his hands in huge puddle! He picked Caleb up under his armpits to bring him to the back of the van for changing, and I was immediately hysterical! "DRIPPING! DRIPPING!" I shriek with laughter....(Dealing with bodily fluids isn't Dallan's favorite past time) Dallan runs to the back of the van while Caleb is dripping in huge amounts from both legs. I followed the trail of poopy puddles on the pavement and prepared to change him. Our entire cargo area looked like an atomic poop bomb went off. We used an entire package of wipes to clean Caleb the best we could, put a couple of burp cloths in his car seat so he could get back in, and gave a friendly wave to the woman waiting behind us to get her prescriptions from the window...
I called the hospital to explain why were were going to be late because there was no way they wanted to meet Caleb in that condition...don't worry, the receptionist couldn't stop laughing either.
Anyone want to detail my car for me? Please....pretty please...?
Dear Caleb,
Thank you for being patient with us today!
I love you
mom
As previously noted, Caleb was diagnosed with a bladder infection and so we immediately put him on an antibiotic. When we start Caleb on antibiotics, we also have to be prepared for some turbo powered diarrhea! Being the planner that I am, I tried to help Caleb have a bowel movement 2 hours before our trip to Primary Children's hospital, but had no results...nothing...nada...ZIP. So, when the time came we got every one packed in the car and headed to Salt Lake. After a few minutes we passed a couple of dead raccoons on the road. "Boy those Raccoons really stink" I said. Then after thinking about it, Dallan and I looked at each other and said "Or what if it's Caleb..." We stopped at our pharmacy's drive up window to grab some of Caleb's medications, and decided to do a quick check on Caleb. Dallan reached into his car seat and when he inched Caleb up to check down yonder, he found his hands in huge puddle! He picked Caleb up under his armpits to bring him to the back of the van for changing, and I was immediately hysterical! "DRIPPING! DRIPPING!" I shriek with laughter....(Dealing with bodily fluids isn't Dallan's favorite past time) Dallan runs to the back of the van while Caleb is dripping in huge amounts from both legs. I followed the trail of poopy puddles on the pavement and prepared to change him. Our entire cargo area looked like an atomic poop bomb went off. We used an entire package of wipes to clean Caleb the best we could, put a couple of burp cloths in his car seat so he could get back in, and gave a friendly wave to the woman waiting behind us to get her prescriptions from the window...
I called the hospital to explain why were were going to be late because there was no way they wanted to meet Caleb in that condition...don't worry, the receptionist couldn't stop laughing either.
Anyone want to detail my car for me? Please....pretty please...?
Dear Caleb,
Thank you for being patient with us today!
I love you
mom
Doctor, Doctor...
Monday: A trip to Northwest orthotics so Caleb's legs and ankles could be casted for ankle/leg braces. Hopefully these braces will improve his range of motion in his ankles.
Tuesday: A trip to the pediatrician because I thought Caleb had a bladder infection. I was able to get my own sample so they wouldn't have to use a catheter, and sure enough, he does have an infection. Hopefully now that we have antibiotics, he'll finally start to feel better!
Tuesday: A trip to the hospital to have blood work done! At one point the needle slipped out and blood squirted everywhere. One of my boys thought it was "SO COOL" and the other just about fainted!
Wednesday: A trip to Primary Children's Hospital to have an emptying study. They put barium into Caleb's tummy and put him in an xray type machine. The machine took pictures every 30 seconds for an hour to see how Caleb's tummy is emptying.
Tuesday: A trip to the pediatrician because I thought Caleb had a bladder infection. I was able to get my own sample so they wouldn't have to use a catheter, and sure enough, he does have an infection. Hopefully now that we have antibiotics, he'll finally start to feel better!
Tuesday: A trip to the hospital to have blood work done! At one point the needle slipped out and blood squirted everywhere. One of my boys thought it was "SO COOL" and the other just about fainted!
Wednesday: A trip to Primary Children's Hospital to have an emptying study. They put barium into Caleb's tummy and put him in an xray type machine. The machine took pictures every 30 seconds for an hour to see how Caleb's tummy is emptying.
Freedom and Family
Caleb had a great 4th of July at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He didn't even get scared of the fireworks! Being on Daddy's lap makes him feel very brave! Freedom and Family...two great reasons to celebrate!
Let Freedom ring!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
EYE Spy!
Matthew made a great I Spy page for an art project that included lots of googly eyes. The eyes were mysteriously missing the next day. When he asked Mitchell if he took them off, Mitchell replied, "they were for Caleb."
Dallan couldn't resist...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Glimpses
Caleb's smiles are a glimpse of his shining spirit!
A glimpse of Matthew loving his buddy.
My precious boy
A glimpse of Matthew loving his buddy.
My precious boy
Sunday, June 21, 2009
My favorite pal
My Daddy is my favorite pal
And he helps me every day
It's plain to see I want to be
Like him in every way...
And he helps me every day
It's plain to see I want to be
Like him in every way...
Dear Daddy
Thank you for being my hero. You have given me your heart, and that is the greatest gift of all. I love you. Happy Father's day
Love,
Caleb.
Thank you for being my hero. You have given me your heart, and that is the greatest gift of all. I love you. Happy Father's day
Love,
Caleb.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Hope
A few days ago
after a heavy storm
I opened Caleb's window so he could smell the rain.
I thought I'd try turning his oxygen off.
I wasn't sure how his body would respond
He has needed oxygen for over a year.
I stepped outside
to take a deep breath
and was greated by a rainbow!
I returned to Caleb's room.
His machines were still and quiet.
I unhooked his feeding and held him
without any tubing attached
for the first time
in a long time.
I cried.
I waited for his alarms to sound.
they never did.
He remained off oxygen
for the rest of the day.
Storms pass.
Hope arrives.
And the smell of rain
lingers to remind us
there are miracles in the air.
We hope in Jesus the Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered. Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past, we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us in the present and in the future. In times of distress, we can hold tightly to the hope that things will "work together for [our] good" as we follow the counsel of God’s prophets. This type of hope in God, His goodness, and His power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges and gives strength to those who feel threatened by enclosing walls of fear, doubt, and despair (Uctdorf, Ensign, November 2008).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tummy trouble
Last week Caleb caught the stomach flu. My other boys had been sick, and I was crossing my fingers that Caleb would avoid it- but he didn't want to be left out. Now, because Caleb had the nissin surgery, he can't throw up. So my poor little boy was so sad and uncomfortable.
During this illness, he had a lot of seizure breakthrough. He would hold his body so rigid, that his arms and legs would turn blue! He would kick his legs and become so upset that he would turn bright red and just drip with perspiration. His seizure threshold seemed to be really out of balance.
Though his sweet little body was quite challenging to manage for those few days, Caleb really touched my heart in a sweet way. He would be so stiff and agitated that I could hardly change his diaper. But when I would put him on my lap to snuggle, he would nuzzle his head into the crook of my arm and relax.
I just loved that he needed his mom to feel better. I loved that he knew it was me and that he was comforted by my touch. I loved how Caleb showed me in such a physical way that he knows .
Proud moments: Caleb's g tube got clogged, so I took it out for the first time and put a new one in. I figured if I could put a trach in, I could put a new g tube in with out going to the doctor! I was glad I did because it came out the next week along with every bit of stomach contents that Caleb's tummy wanted to throw-up! Since I had already done it once-- getting it in the second time was a piece of cake(just a bit messier!)
During this illness, he had a lot of seizure breakthrough. He would hold his body so rigid, that his arms and legs would turn blue! He would kick his legs and become so upset that he would turn bright red and just drip with perspiration. His seizure threshold seemed to be really out of balance.
Though his sweet little body was quite challenging to manage for those few days, Caleb really touched my heart in a sweet way. He would be so stiff and agitated that I could hardly change his diaper. But when I would put him on my lap to snuggle, he would nuzzle his head into the crook of my arm and relax.
I just loved that he needed his mom to feel better. I loved that he knew it was me and that he was comforted by my touch. I loved how Caleb showed me in such a physical way that he knows .
Proud moments: Caleb's g tube got clogged, so I took it out for the first time and put a new one in. I figured if I could put a trach in, I could put a new g tube in with out going to the doctor! I was glad I did because it came out the next week along with every bit of stomach contents that Caleb's tummy wanted to throw-up! Since I had already done it once-- getting it in the second time was a piece of cake(just a bit messier!)
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