Smith Family Tree: January 2012

Monday, January 30, 2012

Mitchell Update

This is the message I received from Crystal just now:
Awesome news for Baby M! He doesn't have retinoblastoma!! It appears the mass is a disease in which the retina and retinal pigment epithelium are fused togetherto make a benign tumor like area. There is a chance of delayed vision development in the other eye, but not sure yet. Thanks for all the prayers.

Oh my goodness! Tears of joy!

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..."

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Baby Mitchell

Mitchell Allen White is three months old. He is precious in every way. He is loved by his mommy and daddy, Crystal and Allen. He is adored by his big sister Emerson. He is a sweet, happy baby.

HE IS BLIND. As of right now we do not know for sure why.

For a little over a month his smart, wonderful mom has suspected something was not quite right with his development. He was not meeting milestones typical of his age. Although many thought she was overreacting, perhaps comparing him to his vivacious older sister, her mother's instinct was strong. Through a long series of doctors it has been determined that sweet Mitchell cannot see and there is an irregular spot on his brain.

Now all of this happened in Crystal's first week back to work from maternity leave. She is a pharmacist, so her hours are long. (Her store was also robbed at gunpoint that week.) In addition, Emerson had a terrible stomach virus and had to go to the emergency room. Mitchell was admitted at UNC and had series of test like MRI under anesthesia, lumbar punctures, countless blood-draws and more. Now, as a mom, I know what I feel like when one of my children has a cold. I just can't even begin to imagine what she and Allen have been going through. For weeks now they have been facing this life changing news, yet do not know the definite cause.

It is suspected that he may have a tumor called Retinoblasteoma. On Monday he will have a procedure to determine if this is true. From there a treatment plan will be developed and 2nd opinions will be sought. I am begging you to join me in PRAYING FOR MITCHELL. Please pray for his wonderful mommy and daddy, grandparents and sister.

I have known and loved Crystal my entire life. I do not even have enough words to express how deeply I care for her and wish to make this all better. I cannot, but God can. She and Allen know and believe this. Mitchell may never see with his beautiful blue eyes, but Crystal and Allen will show him the world. They are amazing people and I cannot imagine anyone better equipped to face this challenge. Beyond what they will do for him, I am confident that God's amazing grace will cover sweet baby Michell Allen White.

"I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

Isaiah 42:16

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Posts to Come

Perhaps if I write it down here, I will be inspired to blog quicker. (I want to do it, just seriously have no time..)

Happy Birthday Gee (and an update: She starts chemo today.)
Pullen Park (it was just so wonderful)
Funny Tyson (I just have to write down the funny things he is saying and doing these days.)

*I also have a very important prayer request. Please pray for a sweet little baby boy that is undergoing testing on his eyes/brain. I will post more when I can.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Celebrating Our Sweet Girl

So much happened in her first year of life... her precious namesake Grandma Juel went to heaven, her mommy went back to work full-time, her grandma got cancer; along with sweet moments like when her daddy became a deacon, her big brother learned how to love her, her family traveled and played together. I worried that I would never be able to celebrate her the same way I did with her brother. (I have heard all parents with more than one child fear this about something.) However, although she may not have memories of the day, I hope that when she looks at pictures she will see how very much she is loved! We had a wonderful time celebrating our sweet girl's first birthday!

Mommy loves you so much she made your party pink and sparkly!

Daddy loves you so much he made sure your first birthday had fireworks!!

It's Beautiful Mommy!

Decorating for Juel's party was just wonderful. I thought it would be a little sad having a birthday just after Christmas, but it turned out to be perfect (a little hectic, but great)! We used day-after Christmas clearance sales to our advantage to create a sparkly pink party!

I undecorated my tree, and re-decorated with pink snowflakes. When Tyson first saw it he exclaimed "Oh its booiful Mommy"

Mom (thanks to help from Miss Kim) made Juel's banner...It is beautiful! Jessica (oh how I miss her) made 12 month frames that are wonderful...even with jewels for Juel. I found great silver snowflakes to use everywhere. FUN!

12 months of sweetness!

Our JUEL

Special shoes and hat!

I love decorating with special pictures and her "coming home" dress.

We covered her pink tree with beautiful snowflake ornaments (not showing up in this picture, bought for 70% off the day after Christmas from Hallmark) to use a party favors.