sweet

Last night Matthew came home from his school carnival, and he came running right into Caleb's room with a big smile on his face. He said, "I got some cotton candy! Do you think Caleb could have a taste? It would just melt right into his mouth!" He was so excited he had thought of a treat that might be okay for Caleb since he is only able to eat through his g tube. I loved that Matthew couldn't wait to share something sweet with his little brother. Caleb enjoyed his first taste of cotton candy, and he especially loved the snuggle from Matthew that came with it!

Dear Matthew,
Thanks for sharing your cotton candy with me! It tasted very sweet in my mouth! Thank you for looking out for me even when I couldn't go to the carnival with you.
I love you Matty.
Love
Caleb

KIDZ

Last Winter I met Tara from the KIDZ website while at Primary Children's hospital for Caleb's g tube surgery. I've enjoyed reading her KIDZ web site that shares stories of other parents with special challenges, gives creative ideas, and provides inspirational thoughts. I've been given the opportunity to post there from time to time, so you'll have to check it out!

A friend indeed

Sometimes when you have a special child,

you get to meet special friends,

and you quickly discover

That they are kindred spirits.

Dear Hunter,
Thank you for being my special friend and for sharing your sweet mommy with mine.
I love you.
Love,
Caleb

The Shepherd will supply thy need

I listened to this song over and over when I was expecting Caleb, and now I listen to if often with him on my lap. It has become one of "his songs" to me. (Please turn off Caleb's play list if you'd like to hear it too)

Holding

I walked into Caleb's room on Sunday and this is what I found.

brothers holding hands for comfort

and holding hearts forever.

I know!

"Josh, I think I know where your glasses are!"

Caleb is such a tease

Labor day

On labor day we didn't labor.
We didn't hurry

We enjoyed being together

We spent the evening at the park

And we stayed until the sun set.

Bladder

Caleb has been battling a bladder infection for several weeks now. We've been on 4 different antibiotics but he still seems to be uncomfortable.
Last week we spent 4 hours in in the hospital to see if we could find out what the problem is. He had an ultra sound on his bladder and kidneys, and they appeared to be okay. Then we had a VCUG. Doctors sedated Caleb, put a catheter in, then filled his bladder with contrast so they could watch how he empties. It quickly became apparent that Caleb is not emptying all the way, so his bladder is a breeding ground for infection. The good news is that he doesn't appear to be refluxing into his kidneys. The challenging news is that there is probably not an easy fix. We may need to start using catheters at home or consider surgery. We have an appointment with a urologist on the 23rd to see what our options are. Hopefully we can find some manageable solutions!

Rise and SHOUT!

Caleb's name means "having courage in the face of overwhelming odds."
So you can bet that Caleb never doubted that BYU would be victorious over Oklahoma! You see, Caleb knows a little bit about being the under-dog. He knows what it's like to face seemingly insurmountable challenges. And most of all, he knows that no matter the odds, you can come out shining!
And that my friends, is why Caleb bleeds BLUE with the rest of us!
Go Caleb and go Cougars!

RISE AND SHOUT!

Caleb's game face.
He keeps his composure almost as well as Bronco!

25 words

Today in Relief Society we had the opportunity to listen to President Monson's talk "Joy in the Journey." This is one of my favorites talks. I love how he taught that we should never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved. I love how he said that we should focus less on what is missing and instead realize the abundance that surrounds us. I loved his council to make memories, to cherish those around us, and to find joy in our journey now! Today, however, I learned another truth from his inspired words.

Lately, I have been thinking about what I would want my children to hear from me if I knew my time with them was limited. If I only had a few words left, what would I want them to be? President Monson spoke of a man who was a prisoner of war for 2 years and was finally allowed to write a letter to his family. His letter was limited to 25 words or less. That story was so tender to me. I thought about what I would want my 25 words to be. There have been times when my heart has been in agony as I've watched Caleb struggle. I've worried about what I would want my last words to be if I had to say good bye.

As I continued to listen to president Monson's talk, I heard him teach us that the most important thing we can do is to create a legacy of love. It brought my heart peace. I realized I didn't need to worry so much about last words. I needed to continue creating a legacy of love now. And maybe then, if time was short,words wouldn't be so necessary because those who I cherish will already know.

Here is President Monson's talk in it's entirety. It's worth watching again and again.

Rub a dub dub...

Caleb always has a smile for bath time! He loves the nice warm water. He loves the cozy towels. He loves getting fluffed and buffed and he loves the smell of baby lotion when he's all done. Okay, Maybe I love that part. What's not to love about this sweet little body?

Here's Caleb right after his bath...(pardon my baby talk voice, I can't help it, he'll always be my baby, even when he sprouts whiskers!)

Good bye for now!

Dear Nana and Poppa
Thank you for being such wonderful missionaries in Maryland! I know I received many special blessings while you were away! Even though you're home now, I know you'll continue to help people remember Jesus with your special missionary spirits. I was so excited for you to come home, and I loved snuggling with you while you were here to visit! I can't wait to see you again in a few months!
I love you
Love,
Elder Caleb

Create the Magic

This week Caleb and I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with some special employees at Utah Valley Hospital. Each week the employees gather for a "create the magic" meeting. At these meetings they are taught about various medical conditions so that they can have a greater understanding of what their clients are dealing with. Caleb and I had the opportunity to tell them our story and teach them about his various medical conditions and cares. I think anyone at that meeting would agree that of the two of us, he was the best teacher. I just had the privilege to be his voice.
I was so very touched by the way they opened their hearts to us. There was a wonderful spirit as I was able to share my feelings about Caleb and answer their sweet questions. Thank you IHC employees for sharing your magic with us!

Three's

3 weeks with a stubborn bladder infection
3 outings to the pediatrician
3 different antibiotics
3 little words for Caleb:
I LOVE YOU
Thank you for being so brave my sweet boy
Caleb is starting his third week with a bladder infection. I took him back to the doctor tonight because he still isn't feeling well. He received two more shots and yet another antibiotic prescription. We'll go back on Monday to follow up. We have had a VCUG scheduled twice, (various tests for his bladder and kidneys) but we have to keep rescheduling it until his infection clears up. We may end up needing to visit with a urologist first. My heart tells me he's not having random infections. I think we're dealing with a bigger bladder issue...

Hopefully we'll continue to get information that will help Caleb be more comfortable.

Comfort

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

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.

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!)

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!

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!

Don't look now!!!

No wonder Caleb kept one eye closed!
YIKES!