Simply amazing. I think that is the most comments we have ever received. Okay, I don’t think it is, I know it is. We surely have our work cut out for us. From here on out, any new entries will not be accepted and we’ll announce the big winner this week.
David, Joe and I are all in Birmingham for a few weeks. We brought Joe down for some therapy for his hand. We are all so excited and loving it here. Though the internet is super slow! Many of you are new to Matilda Jane and are probably wondering what the heck I am talking about. Here’s a quick story. Ya, Joe is like all our kids. They all have a few things to deal with and us as parents will do whatever it takes. Gosh, I hope that does not sound shallow, I am just in a rush and know if I get into it it will become a long DEEP post!
Okay, we are off for our first visit!! And I am the only one who has not showered and not gotten dressed yet! Good thing I can throw my hair in a pig tail, put a dress on and I’m good to go.
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Hey Denise… If your little one likes all things “Space”… you should make the short trek… a little over an hour… up to Huntsville and visit the Space Center!
Hope the therapy goes well.
Good thing is that you have better than normal weather for the south! I woke up to 53 degrees with zero humidity this morning… YES!
Denise, I am thinking of you and Joe and the family this week and know that this therapy will be really good for him. Hoping you can get in some of those things like the space center while you are there. Oh and I wondered if you were waiting for the 2,000 entries to stop the contest?????? Good luck to all in choosing.
Oh dear, best of luck for Joe!! hope everything works out just fine for our little man.
thinking of you and your family..
<3
Wow Denise! What an amazing son you have and your outlook on life is GREAT! I worked as a Teacher’s Assistant to a 2nd grader with CP many years ago. And now he has graduated from high school. It is wonderful to see kids with challenges shine! Good luck in Alabama.
Enjoy sweet home Alabama. I am only 2 hours north of you in Florence, AL…SERIOUSLY if I can do ANYTHING let me know! 256-335-7664 YES! Huntsville space and rocket center has a COOL star wars display, a must see….and beautiful botanical gardens…have a safe visit…have fun…will be thinking of you guys! XOXO
Best wishes!
Everytime I see Joe’s smile it reminds me of my own son. That impish, I am smiling because you said to and after this I will go back doing my own thing, full of childish delight smile. I couldn’t imagine having to go through what you and your family have. You are such a strong Mother. I am sending daily prayers and positive thoughts to you guys. How could I not, when your son’s infectious smile even makes me smile just sitting at the computer in CA.
Hope you have a successful week in B’ham! I feel a little star struck to have you so close to my hometown. Best wishes for your week!
Denise, thank you for sharing. It gave me good thoughts for my day today. I had a disabled parent growing up and have someone you love so much be “different” than your peers, is both humbling and rewarding. Glad you have your glass half full! Have an awesome trip!
Sweet Denise,
I know exactly what you are going through. My daughter has Erb’s Palsy (only effects her right arm) We’ve spent lots of time at UAB for therapy and treatment from Dr. Grabb (pretty awesome doctor by the way) She’s 11 so I know the struggles your mama heart goes through as you watch your boy deal with not being exactly like the other kids his age and struggle to do simple things like play on the monkey bars. All we can do is reasure our kids that God made them special. He knew Joe before he was even formed in your womb. He’s fearfully and wonderfully made. HUGS to you.
Thanks so much for sharing! As loving parents, we do our best for our sweet kids and often they amazes us. My kids have taught me so much about the important things in life. Sounds like Joe is a trooper and will be successful. WTG to him and his parents!
I can’t help but cry when i read the post because we have faced some of those same challenges in our life to. My son has had 3 open heart surgeries and my daughter is missing her left hand, and each and everyday i stand in awe of how amazing they are!!! I hope therapy goes well and i hope you guys get to enjoy some fun things in Bham.
Hope all goes well, Denise! Have a great trip together!
Best of luck Joe!! You will do great! You have the support of my Spicy with you every step of the way! I love you buddy!!
Wow! Birmingham is a long way from Fort Wayne! I’m sure you will make your time there enjoyable. I bet the boys would love the vulcan trail. Be sure and take along your camera, there will be plenty of opportunities for great pictures there. You’re also only a couple hours away from Pine Mountain, Georgia where Callaway Gardens is located. It was one of our favorite weekend trips when we lived in Georgia. It’s an awesome place & they have an amazing butterfly observatory. – larges in North America. What boy doesn’t love bugs? (And I don’t mind them so much since they are pretty.) And of course, Atlanta is only a couple hours away too! Good luck! Prayers coming your way for much success!
What a beautiful story. He is a gorgeous child and you are an awesome person!!!!
I hope Birmingham brings lots of positive results for you guys. thinking of you guys!
Hi Denise and WELCOME TO ALABAMA MATILDA JANE!
I hope EVERYTHING is just what you hope for at UAB and Children’s. Finest dr’s in the world there. Miss Carson has spent many days there in the cranio-facial clinic with Dr. Grant and his team. They are ALL super!
I am only 45 mins away from you. I know you have a super busy schedule and if there is anything I can do, shoot me an email. [email protected]. I’ll be glad to help out in any way.
There are some awesome places to visit in and around the area.
Talladega Super Speedway – 45 mins from you
Atlanta: World of Coke, Aquarium, Underground Atlanta, Atlanta Braves game, Six Flags over Georgia, White Water Park, Stone Mountain 2 hrs away
In and around B’ham: Birmingham Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Vulcan Park, Hoover Met for some Birmingham Barons baseball, Alabama Adventure
Tuscaloosa – Home of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide – 1 hr away
Huntsville – Space and Rocket Center and as Amy said…Star Wars exhibit!!! 2hrs away
That’s all I can think of at the moment. If I think of more, I’ll let you know.
Best of Luck!
Susan
Oh and if you LOVE cupcakes….Find one of the Edgars Bakeries around Birmingham. If you “LIKE” them on FB…they will tell you the “FLAVOR OF THE DAY” and you can go there and try them for free!
Yummy Cupcakes!!!
Eat at the Highlands!! And go shopping in homewood!!! My favorites while visiting in birmingham!!!
Oh, that sweet smile of Joe’s, I know it has to give you and David so much strength, and happiness. Makes me smile too:) Thanks Joe!!
Lots of luck to you on figuring out a winner, hopefully it can be a nice distraction while in waiting rooms.
Good Luck to Joe on his first day of therapy! He is an awesome little boy. You are right about most parents doing whatever it takes to help their kids. So glad Joe has an awesome mama like you! That’s probably where he learned to be an awesome person from…Parents are kids number one role model – that’s what the research says
Best wishes to you and your family
I hope all goes well with the therapy! I know how much driving I do to find the best help for Oliver – we do what we have to do, like you said, parents will do whatever it takes. And there is no greater satisfaction as a parent than when you work hard to find something and it WORKS.
The sign made me smile, half of it is really good!! How do you manage to look so good after a night’s sleep. I adore that about you! Hello to Joe and David!
Take care.
What a strong and caring family you have! That’s what life is all about, huh? — Doing whatever it takes for our kids to thrive and live life to its fullest. Good luck this week and please tell Joe he has more fans than he can imagine! We’re rooting for him!
Best Wishes
Denise~ I sit here in tears reading your post about Joe. I was at Riley this morning with my sister and her son, and was so thankful that my children haven’t had to endure what some of the children there have. It will be a year ago on the Wednesday that Jonah had brain surgery. That was one tough day for this mama! I will be walking in Louisville on Saturday to raise money for Chiari Awareness. Anyway, I’m digressing. Jonah is such a hero to me, like Joe is to you. A year ago when he was in the ICU post brain surgery, he looked at me and told me that he felt so sorry for the other children on the unit. We should all look at the world like that. No matter how bad we may have it, someone else has it worse. Best wishes to your family and Joe. You’re raising an amazing little boy!
You are not too far from me… sending good wishes and vibes to you!!! If you get to the Atl, make sure to let me know! Joe is a champ!!! xxoo
Hi Denise,
Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your little Joe’s life! What an amazing family you all and an inspiration to so many. I am so proud to be part of a clothing line that is so much more than just pretty clothes!
My younger brother, Jim, has Aronold Chiari. After years of searching, what had been overlooked was Chiari and he had neurosurgery weeks later. But all those overlooked years brought new and more medical challenges. I also watched Jim be life flighted home from Kitale last year when he contracted malaria and then Gullian Barre’ as a complication. He spent weeks in ICU and the paralysis left him unable to walk. After three months of rehab, he learned to walk again and walked right back on a plane to Kitale!!! Amazing and inspirational. Jim is possibly the most amazing person I know. He has always embraced his medical challenges and adversity and without them he would not be the remarkable missionary in Kitale he is today. It has changed me as well. It was actually watching his stuggle and story and therapy that made me want to become a physical therapist. Not only a good one but a distinguished one who not only can rehab someone but can also affect their mind and heart. I am a pediatric physical therapist here in Houston and worked at Texas Children’s for almost 7 years, before now transitioning into the schools. So your story truly touches me and what a brave little man Joe must be. Best wishes during your rehab at such a fabulous center!!
Oh, my very first Matilda Jane dress was delivered to our house in Birmingham just before we moved to Michigan! It’s a lovely city – I hope you’re able to get out and explore a bit – the city is FULL of surprises, great restaurants, amazing people, fabulous markets… especially if you’re willing to be a little bit adventurous
(Pepper Place on Saturday mornings is a favorite, FOR SURE!) Best wishes for all of the hard work while you’re there!
I just must add and ok if I don’t win. Grateful Joy or Gracious Goods
Wow Charlotte! My 5 yr. old daughter and 14 yr old son have Chiari as well as my husband. It doesn’t feel so “alone” when I hear of other families affected. God Bless!
I hope the therapy goes well for Joe. My daughter has been in therapy since the age of 3 weeks old for her brachial plexus injury that she suffers from. Joe is a brave little man, all children that face tough challenges at such a young age are. Have a great time while down there.
Denise, I hope that your trip goes well! My youngest son, Charlie, was born last year and needs physical therapy for his neck and a helmet for his head. It was very overwhelming- all the doctors visits, medical bills, etc. Our entire summer was spent in and out of doctor’s offices and therapy. I felt really bad that I wasn’t able to do alot of the fun things that I wanted to do with my older kids. They were troopers though and tagged along without complaining However, I soon realized that this would make me stronger and I believe it made me appreciate my little ones that much more. Going to therapy with Charlie, me and my other children, Olivia and Andrew, met so many strong and courageous children struggling just to walk. Many are part of the Make A Wish foundation. The prognosis for many of them was not good. It made me realize that we are fortunate and helped to put things into perspective. I am a firm believer that our trials make us stronger. Good luck and I will be praying for your sweet son!
Denise….keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
Wish Joe well with the therapy. Sounds like a great place!! Hugs!!
((hugs)) and prayers for all of you- hope the doctors can work their magic for Joe- he deserves it!
Good luck & safe travels. Gabe must be missing all of you and you him!!
Good Luck, your family is in my prayers!
Denise, good luck in Birmingham! Thanks for sharing your amazing and personal story! You are an awesome mom!!! I work in home health with two kids who have CP and they are the most amazing, strong and inspiring two people that I have ever met! Knowing them has made me a better person, as I’m sure Joe has for you!
Best wishes…. Praying that Joe and the therapist will really hit it off!
Hoping things go well for you all…
Love and Hugs!
Good grief, please tell me where I can get a sign like that!!!
that sign is so darling!
Sending prayers your way for Joe. He will do well. Can’t wait to hear the winners. I was one of the ones who picked sugar and spice. Hope that is the name I just love it and can’t wait to see the holiday line