Strep Throat

The fever started Friday night and then the sore throat, head and body aches, and weakness. I know someday she will really dislike me for posting pics like this of her, but it is just a reminder of what fever can do to an already weak body. That said, she is doing alright as long as we are proactive on keeping the fever away. She has a very hard time sitting long periods or controlling her neck. She also finds it hard to hoist herself in or out of the car (to the dr. office). She told me today it was getting hard to swallow. Just yucky symptoms made worse by the CMS.

Hoping she is well soon....

December is here!

Hi there! The Carter family is doing well! We have had fun the last week and a half with lots of family and friends.. Nana, Grandad, Memaw, Pa, extended family and so many fun friends! Neely celebrates his 36th birthday tomorrow and Christmas is right around the corner.

Kyla is doing well. School is tough this year but she again has a fabulous teacher that works with her and accommodates for her weakness and inattention. Laura is having a blast at the pre-k program at PCA. She enjoys school and making friends.

Neely and I find it hard to believe a semester of the school year is already gone!!!!

For all of our CMS followers and parents of CMS kiddos, I just want to say that I have struggled again with Kyla's disease and the affects it has on her life. Just when I think I have accepted what comes with this part of her life, I find myself getting bogged down again in the "what if's, why's and when will's...." She is such a trooper! Currently she struggles with remembering if she has or has not had medicine, pain in her ankles and legs, general weakness, and attention in school. We go to the neurologist this month for the annual visit and this year we have a few new concerns for him. Medicine dosage, physical therapy issues, etc.

Overall, we have such blessings to be thankful for. She has come so far and is able to voice her hurts and issues more clearly to us now.

Here is a little video from her church choir presentation tonight... Hope you enjoy...

Sabrina

June and July 2010

Trip to St. Louis to see the Everett Family~

Room Makeover in the girls' room!

Pamela and Glen (Cousins) came to visit!

Summer Music Activities for Kids with the Carter Cousins in Paris, TX

Family Pic while we were in Paris!

Aunt Clarissa and Laura at Surfside.

Kyla Boogie Boarding at Surfside Beach Texas!

Here and there...

Here are a few pics from the last few weeks...

Nee and the girls at Red River, NM

The girls at Surfside Beach , TX

The girls and I on the 4th of July

Just a note... I am always thinkning and muddling through how best to help Kyla with the challenges that she faces because of CMS, but it seems some seasons make me more intense for the search of community and help than others. I have recently made more contact with others who have CMS or their children have it through facebook. It is so comforting and rewarding to find others who are on this journey with Kyla.

Most recently our concerns with Kyla are her fatigue (late in the day), physical therapy issues (running and walking form), writing fatigue, inattention, and sleep habits.

We are trying to give her mestinon doses somewhat closer together to see if we can help her body adjust to the long summer days.

Kyla is 8yrs old!

Yes! Can you believe it, my baby turned eight Saturday! What a blessing. Kyla is tough. She is always thinking and dreaming. She loves to be "just a little different"... She is the queen of the one liners. Kyla dreams big and invites others to come along. She loves to read, but reading is really "making pictures and movies in your head." She is a fan of all things water. Kyla is sweet and concerned about others. She likes to joke and kidd around. She loves to eat ice cream and drink Chi Tea- hot of course. Tea parties, dress up, and games are a few of her favorite things. Happy Birthday, princess. Mom and Dad love who you are... Kyla Ann Carter.

School Days, 2010

Kyla and Ms. Donna (school nurse) Thank you for always taking care of me!!!!

Kyla and School friends!

Award for academic excellence!!!!

Kyla and Mrs. Stokes
Laura and Ms. Sharon!!!!

End of the 2009-2010 school year... whew!

Great year --but super busy anf full of new experiences! Both Girls had a great year. Thank you to Mrs. Stokes and Mrs. Sharon. It is a mom and dad's greatest pleasure to see their children loved and cared for. Hats off to you!!! Now let the summer time begin... :)

Then and Now

Looking Back... we've come so far. Thank you Lord for Your Hands...

May 2010

Neely and I are almost finished with our first school year in Plainview. Kyla is about to complete her 2nd grade year and turn 8 years old. Neely reminded me today that in another 8 years she will have her driver's liscence. Not nice... :) These are a few pictures of our family time this Saturday night. The girls love to turn the music on the computer up really loud and dance around in the family room. FUN STUFF!

Kyla and Laura are ready for summer. We plan on spending time together and with family and friends. Hopefully we will go to Red River with both sets of granparents and to Surfside Beach with my parents and sister. We are also hoping to visit Aunt Traci and Uncle Paul in St. Louis and Uncle John and Aunt June in Paris. Between that maybe some VBS and a few trips to Wichita Falls for fun with friends there. Whew... I'm tired already.

Easter Weekend 2010

We had a three day weekend around Easter and loved every minute of our travels. Friday we had lunch with Josh Deerinwater and the Wood Fam. After lunch Friday we drove to Dallas and met Nana and Grandad, Traci, Paul, Andrew, Daniel, David, John, June, Trey, Jenna, Joy, and Julia in Fort Worth. We had supper together and then Saturday morning watched our nephew, Daniel, race in the 1000 meters! It was a great time! We ate at Pappasitos twice and it was a hoot both times... great waitress and awesome food! Saturday afternoon Nee, the girls, and I headed to Gorman and stayed at "the trailer" camping with mom, dad, and Clarissa. Kyla caught a big mouth bass :) and was so excited! We went to church at FBC Gorman. After church we went to my Aunt Jonell's church and had lunch and an egg hunt with my mom's fam. Then the weary travelers set out for home.... What a busy, wonderful, memory making trip.

Laura Turns Four!!!

Can you believe how fast our lives roll... My youngest turned four last week and I have a really hard time saying that and believing it. We have enjoyed every day with Laura Hope!! She is a blast to be around and loves life.

She cracks us all up almost constantly with her little ways. As she put it best a couple of weeks ago..."We've had a lot of fun times togehter, huh, Lamby." Love you Laura Hope!

Spring Break Days 3-5

Daddy and laura at one of the corrals at the Western Heritage Museum.
Nan, Grandad, Kyla, laura, and Nee at the Museum.

Laura's soccer practice last Tuesday.

Kyla and Laura playing Just Dance on the Wii at Memaw and Pa's.

Kyla playing with Aunt Clarissa's barbies. :)

Spring Break has really been a nice change in routine! Tuesday morning we left memaw and pa's and headed home to Plainview. Nana and Grandad got to our house later that afternoon. Wed. we went to Lubbock and had lunch together with Memaw and Aunt Clarissa and then went to the Western Heritage Museum with Nana and Grandad.

Spring Break Day 2

Spring Break Day 2 was a fun day. We went to church and a then traveled to Memaw and Pa's for fun for a couple of days. We played in the back yard , on the hammock, with Aunt Clarissa's barbie's, with the Wii, went to the duck pond, and of course ice cream at DQ. Thanks Memaw and Pa for a day of fun, fun, fun....

Spring Break Day 1

Great opening day for Spring Break 2010! Beautiful weather... no wind and about 65-70 degrees!!! Kyla and Laura enjoyed a fun time outside for part of the day while Neely and I worked in the garage and yard and then later enjoyed a movie and books.