Maurice's 17th Birthday Celebration Photos

Hello To All! We have been very busy lately. I hope that you enjoy these very special birthday photos from Maurice's 17th birthday. ( which seems to have lasted at least a couple of months..lol )

Please visit our sites at www.flushotgonewrong.com and www.wishforthesky.com. Also you can view our face book pages at https://www.facebook.com/flushotgonewrong/  Please also view our You Tube channel at wishforthesky1 where we will upload more videos very soon!!!!!! www.flushotgonewrong.com www.wishforthesky.com https://www.facebook.com/flushotgonewrong/

LESSONS OF MOTHERHOOD

As a mother, I can say that there is no greater blessing than my children (and every mother I know will tell you the same thing). From day one, you learn to put their needs first, to feel their pain as well as their happiness. And, despite all the advice and guidebooks about parenting and motherhood, there’s no real book out there with THE answers, The Ultimate Guide to Raising Children (Unabridged). I like to think that we all do the best we can with what we’re given, and that  is what being a good mother looks like. In honor of the day, this post is dedicated to a few lessons motherhood has blessed me with:

Selflessness. As a parent, your needs move to the back of the line, whether this means loss of sleep in the early days as you comfort a crying infant, taking on a second job to make ends meet, pushing your personal hobbies or passions to the backburner to give your child your full attention- these are some common sacrifices made by the average mother. A parent truly understands that “Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being” (Kevin Kruse).

Accomplishment. If you talk to someone who has graduated, run a marathon, or reached any sort of goal that they’ve been striving toward, they will often tell you the same thing: all the hard work, the proverbial “blood, sweat, and tears,” were all worth it in the end. Motherhood feels a lot like that. I wholeheartedly agree that “Motherhood is the most challenging as well as the utmost satisfying vocation in this world” (Nite Ambani). You offer your children lessons and all your love, and yet, you have to accept at a certain point that they are autonomous beings that you can’t control/protect forever, and must hope that you’ve given them all the tools they’ll need to pave their own way.

Empathy. “Motherhood was the great equaliser for me; I started to identify with everybody...as a mother, you have that impulse to wish that no child should ever be hurt, or abused, or go hungry, or not have opportunities in life” (Annie Lennox). This idea extends beyond children- when you get down to it, we’re all someone’s daughter or son. Every one of us has a mother. For me, it took becoming a mother to fully appreciate this sentiment.

Perseverance. The greatest lie I’ve ever heard told to a new parent: “It gets easier as they get older.” Easier? Compared to what? Instead, I’d revise this statement to say that the work doesn’t get “easier,” but it changes in nature. You move from diapers and teething to coordinating after-school obligations and homework to dating and driving to college...even just thinking about it all can be exhausting. But, somehow, you adjust and learn to pull through all of this: “Motherhood is wonderful, but it’s also hard work. It’s the logistics more than anything. You discover you have reserves of energy you didn’t know you had” (Deborah Mailman).

Of course, this is only a glimpse of the lessons I’ve learned as a mother. What is the greatest lesson? Unconditional love- but, this is something better explained through feeling rather than writing

 

                                             

Through Tragedy Comes Good

'Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." -- Psalm 57:1

   Our journey has definitely been like a roller coaster ride of sorts ---going uphill, downhill, and many twists and turns along the way. I often think of the song, 'Need You Now' by Plum:

                              "Standing on a road I didn't plan
                                  Wondering how I got to where I am
                              I'm trying to hear that still small voice
                                  I'm trying to hear above the noise

                               How many times have you heard me cry out
                                    "God please take this"?
                               How many times have you given me strength to
                                      Just keep breathing?
                                        Oh I need you
                               God, I need you now."

     The words in this song have often rang true for many of us. Whether standing on a road we didn't plan or completely blindsided by unforeseen circumstances, life can all too often leave us broken and bewildered.  During certain periods, when we find ourselves treading through the darkest moments, it's not always clear how to dust ourselves off and figure out how to rearrange the now shattered pieces. We know in this world bad things do happen to good people all too often, and when tragedy does strike, it knows no race, color, or creed. It is then we must dig down deep inside ourselves to a place we didn't even know existed and muster up every ounce of strength and courage. The many miracles and blessings witnessed along our own life changing passage has forever impacted me in so many ways and has shown the importance of staying in faith, especially in the moments it seemed pointless to do so!
     As we know from many stories in the Bible, sometimes the greatest things can come out after people have went through their hardest tribulations. Look at what happened when Moses was in the desert for forty years. When he finally was called out by God, he went on to successfully complete one of the greatest deliverance missions there is.
      As we all pass through our own floodwaters in life, finding refuge in Jesus is the key to being able to hold our head above water. We have to remember, no matter how tremendous the pain and grief might be, we are still in control of our reactions in those trying times. You may ask yourself, as I did so many times before, "How can I keep going?", "Is there really a light at the end of this tunnel?" These questions can be very perplexing, especially when the tunnel seems never ending. I believe the answers lie in our ability to stay in faith through all of the agony and tears. When it feels as if we can't give anymore and have reached our wit's end, God reveals a way for us to reach the light.
      I knew my son, Maurice's, life was meant to touch others. I hoped his story would one day make a difference in people's lives. Over the years, in the midst of the greatest obstacles/adversities of my life, I prayed for God to show me the best ways to accomplish this.
      I felt God laid it on my heart to start a nonprofit organization that would grant wishes to brain injured children and also to write the book about my son's story. The Maurice Lamkin Jr. Brain Injury Foundation was soon founded www.wishforthesky.com and I then worked diligently to complete, 'Flu Shot Gone Wrong,' an unvarnished account of how my son's life was transformed perpetually after receiving the vaccine and the love, faith, miracles, and countless lessons learned along the way www.flushotgonewrong.com ! At first, I wasn't sure I'd be able to convey the right words or even have enough energy to complete such a task. I thought to myself, How can I do this with no formal writing training ?--- I'm just A Mom ---
      A Mom who finds pleasures in the simpler things of life---that first cool sip of iced tea, gazing wondrously at a rainbow, and tucking the kids into bed at night.
     A Mom who would give anything for her children and never expect to travel down such a tortuous road.
     A Mom guided by God and on a mission to help her fellow mankind and have the story of my precious son heard.
      I soon realized that the book was one of the ways God would use to reach out to people, so for the next year and a half, I worked assiduously at it. Every word I've written has been like reliving our journey all over again. I am still amazed with God's astounding goodness, and He has opened my eyes even more through my writings.
      I am very excited to announce that the official release date for 'Flu Shot Gone Wrong' is March 10, 2015. You can now order copies and e Book download cards on the Tate Publishing website at: https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781633671256 ! My hopes are for people to become more informed when deciding whether the flu shot is right for their child or loved one, and will also benefit from our experience. It is my prayer that Maurice's story will inspire you to never give up and to know, no matter what trials may come against you, God loves you and will never leave your side! God has promised us beauty for our ashes and wants us to lean on Him in our greatest times of suffering. We must always remember that when you stay in faith, God turns tragedy into good.
   "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
     
                                           

The Truth Behind the Flu Shot

As parents we are often faced with tough decisions regarding our children's well being. We love our kids and will protect them by any means necessary. The heated debate of whether or not to vaccinate our children is one that has been around for longer than you might think. Benjamin Franklin noted in his autobiography that he lost a child to smallpox and regretted not getting him the inoculation for it beforehand. Whether for religious or personal reasons, this decision is one a parent definitely struggles over. I never really thought of the possible dangers from vaccines until my first born sons' life was transformed perpetually after receiving the Flu Shot. I of course had empathized and prayed for families with vaccine horror stories, but never did it actually hit home until my first born lie on Life Support forty days and nights, shortly after receiving the Influenza Vaccine. Witnessing him go from a happy, healthy little boy who loved to sing and dance to a child  plagued with hospital stays, developmental set backs, and never the chance of caring for his self again... has definitely put me into the anti-vaccine category. Our journey caused me to do thorough research on the safety of vaccines, with an emphasis on the safety of the Influenza Vaccines. I am a firm believer in Genesis 50:20 'You intended to harm me, but God meant it for good, to bring about the saving of many lives' I pray that by the sharing of my son's story and our families journey, people will benefit from our experience. If Maurice's story keeps even one person from experiencing the pain he has endured, then my mission is complete. About a year and a half ago God laid it on my heart to write the soon to be released, 'Flu Shot Gone Wrong' book www.flushotgonewrong.com and to start www.wishforthesky.com, as ways of reaching people and letting them know the dangers of the Flu Vaccine. Please read the following article which shares other important information:

Hundreds of People are Afflicted with Guillain-Barré Syndrome Every Year from the Flu Shot

As can be seen in this report and other reports from government payments for vaccine injuries, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is the most common side effect and injury due to the flu vaccination.

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome? Here is the definition the CDC gives:

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. GBS can cause symptoms that last for a few weeks. Most people recover fully from GBS, but some people have permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, people have died of GBS, usually from difficulty breathing.

Compare this to the CDC definition for Polio:

Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract. Up to about 72% of susceptible persons infected with polio have no symptoms. However, infected persons without symptoms can still spread the virus and cause others to develop polio. About 24% of infected susceptible persons have minor symptoms such as fever, sore throat, upset stomach, or flu-like symptoms and have no paralysis or other serious symptoms. About 1-5% develop aseptic meningitis with stiffness of the back, back, or legs, and in some persons increased or abnormal sensations a few days after the minor illness resolves. These symptoms typically last from two to ten days, followed by complete recovery. Less than 1% of polio cases result in paralysis of the limbs (usually the legs). Of those cases resulting in paralysis, 5-10% of the patients die when the respiratory muscles are paralyzed.

Here is one story of a man who nearly died from GBS resulting from a flu shot, and here is a recent story of a nurse that was awarded $11.6 million after being paralyzed by the flu shot.

The fact that GBS is one of the side effects of the annual flu vaccine is well known and documented. The package insert of the flu vaccine even lists a warning regarding GBS:

“If Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has occurred within 6 weeks of previous influenza vaccination, the decision to give Fluzone should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.”

Did you know that? Are you screened and asked questions prior to receiving a flu vaccine to see if you have any risks based on pre-existing conditions?

How many people are injured with GBS due to a flu shot?  According to the CDC, “no more than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated.”

Is this rate accurate? We don’t know. How many people might be afflicted with GBS and not make the connection to the flu vaccine? The CDC states that “an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop GBS each year,” and “about two-thirds of people who develop GBS symptoms do so several days or weeks after they have been sick with diarrhea or a respiratory illness.”

Let’s assume the government’s estimate of GBS injuries due to flu vaccines is accurate (1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated). How many people does that translate to who are becoming injured (or killed) by GBS as a result of the flu vaccine?

According to the latest statistics (September 2014) listed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services here, there were about 944 million doses of the flu vaccine distributed between 2006 and 2013.

So by the government’s own statistics, the flu vaccine is causing about 269 people per year to become injured (including some deaths) with GBS. This is out of 3,000 to 6,000 cases of GBS in the U.S. per year. Could vaccines actually be responsible for a lot more?

The Flu Vaccine Contains Mercury, a Well-known Neurotoxin

While mercury in the form of thimerosol has been removed from most childhood vaccines, it remains in the flu vaccine, which is recommended for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and just about the entire population. Mercury is a well-known neuro-toxin, but it is such an effective preservative, that it is used in bulk, multi-dose containers of vaccines. In fact, U.S. law requires it.
The majority of the flu vaccines in the U.S. come from these multi-dose containers, which contain mercury as a preservative. You can choose a “non-mercury flu shot,” meaning a flu shot from single-dose vials or pre-filled syringes where the preservative is not needed, but that is no guarantee that mercury is not present. Minutes from a government meeting on vaccines reveals that even in these single dose flu vaccines sometimes “thimerosol is present in trace amounts as a result of the manufacturing process.” (Source – page 7.)
This should surprise no one, since the government’s position on this matter is that mercury in vaccines is safe. Implementing safeguards to ensure mercury is kept out of vaccines for those who don’t want it would be too burdensome to the drug manufacturers who need to manufacture them in large batches to keep costs down.
You should also be aware that senior CDC scientist Dr. William Thompson has recently come forward as a whistleblower to reveal that the CDC has withheld data from vaccine safety studies that did not support the official CDC position on vaccine safety. In a recorded phone conversation with Dr. Brian Hooker, Thompson stated that injecting mercury into pregnant women creates a “clear and present danger” to the unborn child. The CDC whistleblower stated that mercury in vaccines causes “tics” in children, and that these tics are 4 times more prevalent in kids with autism. (Story here.)

The Flu Vaccine is Big Business

There is a reason why the flu vaccine is the most dangerous vaccine in the U.S. causing the most injuries. It is an annual repeat vaccine that the government wants ALL citizens to take every year, including infants, pregnant women, and seniors. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report here, no other vaccine comes close to the flu vaccine in distribution. Yearly sales in flu vaccines exceed 134 million doses, while all other vaccines combined total just less than 200 million doses.

According to sales statistics from 2013, the revenue of annual flu vaccines is increasing. For example, Walgreens’ 2013 sales report shows flu shots increased from 6.9 million doses in 2012 to 7.5 million this flu past season.

Does the Flu Vaccine Prevent Serious Illness?

This is the big question that needs to be answered to justify mass vaccinations and documented lives destroyed by the flu vaccine. Those marketing and pushing for the vaccine want you to believe that the minority need to be sacrificed for the greater good of the majority, and that the flu vaccine is effective.

But where is the proof the flu vaccine is effective? Is this a scientific fact, or simply a belief to support a billion dollar vaccine industry that cannot be sued for damages?

The media and most medical professionals often state that the flu causes anywhere from “3,000 to 49,000 deaths each year.” The CDC’s website, however, states that this is just an estimate, and that they actually do not even know what this number is.

- See more at: http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/government-pays-damages-to-vaccine-victims-flu-shot-most-dangerous-with-gbs-and-death-settlements/#sthash.KfCp5Vz0.dpuf

Flu Shot Gone Wrong: An Inside Look Through a Mother's Eyes

                                             Mover of Mountains
                                               Helen Steiner Rice

                 Faith is a force that is greater than knowledge or skill,
                 And the darkest defeat turns to triumph if you trust in
                 God's wisdom and will,
                 For faith is a mover of mountains --- there's nothing
                 man cannot achieve
                 If he has the courage to try it
                And then has the faith to believe.



      I have always loved this poem by Helen Steiner Rice. It beautifully sums up the way we must handle unexpected adversities that come our way. It is very hard to not be petrified when you are facing the hardest times of your life. At times, the walls can feel as if they are closing in around you and the weight of the world has been unfairly placed upon your shoulders. So what are we to do? How can we make sure consternation won't overtake us? The answer to these questions lie in igniting our Faith. I know these feelings all too well and it took me a long time to figure out how to turn my darkest hours into triumphant lessons, insights, and an impenetrable relationship with God.
     I was only twenty six years old when our world changed forever. My angel, Maurice, had just started kindergarten. My baby girl, Mariah, was fourteen days old and my toddler, Malik, had just turned two. Still recovering from giving birth a couple of weeks earlier and also in the midst of my own soul-searching...I drove my sweet boy to get a Flu Shot. I always dreaded getting my children any vaccines...just the stories you hear sometimes were enough to make any mom cringe...but never could I have imagined what was about to take place! Looking back, I now know that each journey, no matter how onerous it might be, is filled with many lessons and miracles along the way. Lessons we would have never been taught if it wasn't for that life-altering situation that caught us completely off guard, trying to make sure we would never find the strength to get back up again! I would like to share with you the Preface in my soon to be released, 'Flu Shot Gone Wrong' book, where I give an unvarnished account of how my vibrant son's life was transformed perpetually after receiving this vaccine. This story is not only about remaining steadfast in the face of tragedy; but also truly encompasses the true meaning of love, faith, and the ultimate will to survive!

                                                         PREFACE

      I have learned that life is never predictable and can throw many curve balls at you along the way. It is also beautiful and mysterious, filled with great treasures and unforgettable memories. The secret to getting through the arduous times, I think, is learning how to deal with them. We have all gone through adversity and had to be unyielding to overcome our own tribulations. During certain periods of our life, especially the profoundest moments, it can feel as if we are somehow being tested. In my son's story you are about to read, I have felt this way many times. It was as if God was watching to see how I would handle what was going on.
       Do I really have what it takes to keep getting back up? This question would constantly linger in the back of my mind. The answer was yes. Even though life knocked me down to my knees, God had equipped me with the power to get back up. I just didn't know it yet.
       Having experienced firsthand the way a tragedy can happen in the blink of an eye, I know what it's like to see your whole world shattered and have to find a way for the pieces to fit again. The old saying "God never gives you more than you can handle" would ring in my ears as I found myself crying, curled up in a ball. Through the darkest hours, I came to see God's strength and peace at work.
      I have learned that even the greatest tragedy can bring about hope, strength, and inspiration. I can honestly say, if not for my faith and strong relationship with God, I never would have been able to make it through the most strenuous time of my life.
      It has now been nine years since tragedy struck our family, namely my son Maurice. There were days I didn't even want to get out of bed and days I wished I were someone else. With God as my refuge though, I made it through and learned many valuable lessons along the way!
      I am writing this book in hopes other people might benefit from our experience. If Maurice's story keeps even one person from going through the pain he has endured, then my mission is complete. I pray this book inspires you to never give up and always cherish each day to the fullest.

                                                                                         Love and peace,
                                                                                           Michelle Mouille


Thank you for taking the time to read a little behind my 'Flu Shot Gone Wrong' story. I will also post a sample copy of the first chapter of the book, within a couple of days. Please visit www.flushotgonewrong.com and 'Like' the new Flu Shot Gone Wrong Facebook page to be eligible to win a Kindle Fire and copy of the soon to be released book! https://m.facebook.com/flushotgonewrong

The Unwavering Spirit Of Thanksgiving: Insights From Our Family To Yours

     "Blessed are those who give without remembering. And blessed are those who take without forgetting."    Bernard Meltzer


        I was reminded of the true meaning of Thanksgiving very early this morning. Long before sunrise, I was awakened by the all too familiar sound of my eldest son, Maurice, having a seizure. As I held him through it, I thought about how thankful I am to hold and nurture him through whatever obstacles come his way. After the convulsions passed, he was restless and unable to fall back asleep. I led him to the front room, turned on Dora the explorer, and we sat on the couch watching it at least four times in a row. Still lethargic from the seizure, Maurice looked at me sleepily a few times throughout the show. As I smiled lovingly at him, I was reminded of the song from 'Beaches', one of my favorite movies starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey: 'A beautiful smile to hide the pain, did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be, I can fly higher than an eagle, for you are the wind beneath my wings....' I couldn't help but then think of one of my favorite Bible scriptures: 'For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' (John 3:16) It is so comforting, especially in trying times, to know God loves each and every one of us this much! The truth is that no amount of suffering, no matter how tragic and heartbreaking it may be, can equal the ultimate sacrifice God made for us and the pain Jesus had to bear on the cross. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: 'give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'
      It's easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. After all there's the food, endless errands, and constant chaos. Sometimes we can struggle to just find a minute of peace for ourselves, and while I myself am no stranger to the deliciousness of pumpkin pie and juicy turkey, we must strive to remember the true spirit of giving. A lot of times giving is thought of with getting something back in return, but this is a misconstrued way of thinking.
       I can remember year after year, praying for God to make me a giver instead of a borrower. During the worst moments of our plight we went without so many times, and I longed to be a blessing to others. I am always looking for opportunities to instill the values of giving thanks and the importance of being a giver to my children. There are a few ways I try to teach them these valuable lessons. During the winter we go buy extra coats at Walmart. Sometimes in the mornings, on our way to school we might see a child sitting at the bus stop with very little on. We always stop and ask if they would like a coat. At first my children were embarrassed by this, but soon they came to understand the meaning of helping others. We have also paid a strangers bill before in a restaurant and offered to buy groceries for someone at the supermarket. I feel it is very meaningful to start faith filled traditions with children. You can do this on a tight budget as well. When money is low we find gently used items around the house to donate, visit an elderly neighbor, or maybe find a community service project we can participate in together. Not only do these things bring you closer together as a family, but ensure you are starting life long values that will span generations.
       I would like to share with you a viewpoint given by the well known author Stephen King. "A couple of years ago I found out what 'you can't take it with you' means. I found out while I was lying in a ditch at the side of a country road, covered with mud and blood and with the tibia of my right leg poking out the side of my jeans like a branch of a tree taken down in a thunderstorm. I had a MasterCard in my wallet, but when you're lying in a ditch with broken glass in your hair, no one accepts MasterCard." Do you have any giving stories or viewpoints you wish to share? I would love to hear them.
      I was driving home from the grocery store one day with my daughter and we saw a homeless man standing on a corner. While stopped at a red light she asked, "Mom can we please help him?" I didn't have any money with us and replied, "Sorry babe I wish we could." "But Mom we do have something to give, she interjected, we can give him some groceries." Realizing she was right, I rolled down the window and gave him some food. This showed me sometimes we might need to look further than our own usual way of thinking to really bless someone else. It is then we can tap into our full potential and use our God given talents in ways never imagined.
      I hope you all had a Blessed Thanksgiving and I will close this blog post with the scripture from Luke 6:38 (ESV)      'Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Overcoming Tragedy: A Mother's Fight To Save Her Son And Divine Lessons Learned Along The Way!!!

       "In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive"...Lee lacocca


     Hello and Happy Tuesday to all! Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Michelle Mouille....a mother to four beautiful children --- Maurice my fifteen year old angel, Malik my twelve year old basketball wiz, Mariah my ten year old pop princess, and Malani my nine year old vivacious gymnast--- I am president/founder of the Maurice Lamkin Jr. Brain Injury Foundation that grants wishes to brain injured children, and a new author.
     I have just completed a book, which is about to be published titled "Flu Shot Gone Wrong," where I give an unvarnished account of the most tragic and personal battle my family has ever known...and Overcome! There was no way of knowing that after my son received what seemed to be a simple vaccine at the tender age of five, our lives would be completely shattered and we would find ourselves tested in every way imaginable. My worst fears were coming to pass right before my eyes...my first born would have to battle through forty days and nights on Life Support, a sea of surgeries, hospital stays and developmental set backs...but relentless faith would prove to surmount all!!!That's the thing about tragedy and adversity...it can blindside us, trying to make sure we will never be able to get back up again. I have learned that our darkest hours are sometimes what brings about the greatest inspiration, hope, strength, faith, and love. The key is discovering how to make it through our tribulations, without letting them overtake us. I will talk more about the book and my son's story in future blog posts, exploring these questions and more in great detail. I believe the parable of the farmer who owned an old mule is a perfect example of overcoming adversity. The story tells that the mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule making noises. The farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided not to try and save him. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him! It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he should shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow. No matter how painful the blows, the old mule fought through 'panic' and just kept shaking it off! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and bruised, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him....all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. I have found this to be very true in my own plight as well. The old saying "God never gives you more than you can handle" often rang in my ears as I found myself crying, curled up in a ball. Through the darkest hours, though, I came to see God's strength and peace at work!
      I am new to the world of blogging, so please bear with me while I figure out the specifics of "maintaining a proper blog." Rather than trying to conform my blog around the way I see others designing theirs...I will just promise to be sincere and try to use every post to reach, inform, and empower the lives of others.
      As mother's we all love our children, wanting them to be happy and healthy. We often put our own needs/wants to the side in order to make these goals realities. There's nothing we wouldn't do to keep them safe....but sometimes this great, unpredictable, yet beautiful mystery we call 'Life,' sends us a curve ball... which is exactly what happened to me and my family. It can somehow feel as if we are being tested in this life. I know I have felt this way many times before. Have you ever felt as if God is watching to see how you would handle a certain situation? I know that I have. I will be using this page to blog not only about the upcoming book and my son's story, but also as a means of letting out my innermost feelings on all kinds of topics that I feel will be helpful, such as: selfless acts of love, giving, trusting God, igniting our faith, relaxation techniques, living with fibroids, life after brain injury, holding on to your inner child, vaccine reform, finding our own 'super nanny' within ourselves, 'comfort foods', overcoming anxiety....and many many more. I believe God has equipped each of us, in our own special way to inspire and help our fellow mankind, and that's what I pray my blogs to accomplish. I welcome and will greatly appreciate any feedback, questions, or comments you might have on any blog posts or just our plight in general. I would love to hear any of your own inspiring stories or how you overcame a tragic situation.
        William Shakespeare said it best with his quote: "Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head." I would like to share with you a couple of inspiring stories from well known people in history. Sir Winston Churchill had a speech impediment when he was a young boy and it took him three years to complete the eighth grade. He overcame all of that and became the British prime minister and recipient of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1953. Walt Disney also had his own share of tribulations to overcome. He had a great business idea when he was young, but found himself with no funding to start his business. He approached many banks for loans but they all turned him down. He didn't let that stop him and after visiting hundreds of banks finally found one to give him a start up loan. The well known Disney parks and brands were then brought into our lives. Adversity seems to strike all of us in this world. And when it does it knows no race, creed, or boundaries. We must dig down deep inside to a place we didn't even know existed, and muster up every amount of courage, faith, and strength possible. It is then, through our ignited faith in these darkest moments we will come to see our spiritual, physical, and mental being awaken and flourish like never before. I have seen so many miracles and learned so many divine lessons, along our own journey that I will share with you in future blogs.  These are miracles and lessons which wouldn't have been possible without our 'detour' and we have definitely grown in every way possible through our journey and trust that God always has a plan, even in the midst of tremendous suffering. I will close this blog with two Bible scriptures that have always soothed me in my roughest hours. "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out it's roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV) ...This last scripture is very touching to me and I believe in wholeheartedly: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" Genesis 50:20