Kaylee Beausoleil here.  Remember me?

If not, let me refresh your memory.  We ("we" meaning my husband, Raymond, myself, and our three kids, Korinne, 5 1/2; Kenny, 3; and Kaysa 2 3/4) lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, until several months ago, when our home back there was damaged by Hurricane Gustav.  That was in August.  Ever since, we'd been displaced, and it's been difficult at best.

Today finds us in a new state, a new town.  Nashville, Tennessee.  That's our home.  We live in a brand new apartment, and it's hard getting used to apartment living.  It's not bad, as far as apartments go; but it's not like having your own home.  At least we have a place to live now instead of staying in that godawful shelter we'd been living in!

I have a job now.  I work three days a week, helping out with the children at a local church, Christ Community Assembly of God.  It helps, but I'm worried about who will take care of Kaysa while I'm not there.  So far, I have a lady friend, Rose, watching her.  So far, all has gone well; however, I'm worried that something may happen to Kaysa while I'm at work, and I won't be able to help her.

You see, my youngest daughter has Niemann-Pick disease.  It's a rare, fatal genetic disorder that causes buildup of fat and cholesterol in her system, and it causes many medical problems.  Kaysa has been in and out of the hospital; several times we'd nearly lost her.  It's scary having a child who is so sick a lot of the time; you never know what is going to happen or WHEN it does.

Kaysa is small for her age:  she looks more like a year-and-a-half year-old baby instead of a toddler fixin' to be three next month.  She is developmentally delayed, and she can walk some, but only for short distances; she tires too easily.  She is sometimes on supplimental oxygen when her lungs, heart act up, and she's on a whole slew of medications to try to keep her healthy.

Doctors don't know how long Kaysa has left on this earth.  They still say she won't live to be six years old.  Having a child like this is heartwrenching; it's one of the worst things that can happen to a young mother. 

I wouldn't wish this on anybody.

It is because of Kaysa's medical issues that I am now alone.  I am a single parent.  My husband Raymond left me after ten years of marriage:  he couldn't cope with Kaysa's medical problems.  I'm now raising Kaysa (as well as two older, active children) by myself; when I'm at work, Rose watches her.  (I trust Rose Morganstern becasue she's a pediatric nurse, and she can help my daughter whenever a problem arises.  She's been a godsend in my life!)

I have a new church to go to; I go to Christ Community Assembly of God on Sundays.  It's a big church, but even despite the big size, the members I've met already have made me feel welcome, at home, and I am happy to be making new friends. 

I still don't know most of the people well enough, but Rose has taken me under her wing; I call her my "spiritual mamma".  :)

We went there over Christmas week:  they had a cantata going on; the music was beautiful, and I loved how this one young teenaged boy in a wheelchair was using sign language as a way to convene the action of the play to the deaf members of the congregation, so they'd know what was going on.  That was intensely moving! 

It turns out the young man in question is partially deaf himself; he uses sign language like a pro!  He's very good at it!

And this one girl who did "O, Holy Night" sang like an angel.  She had the prettiest voice I'd ever heard on a young teenager!  She sounded like an adult; and the way she hit those high notes:  WOW!  Instant goosebumps!

I think this girl should seriously persue a singing career.  She's gifted at it; it's obvious that God's given her an awesome talent!

There are a lot of people with special needs who go to this church; maybe that's why I don't feel so scared or alone when I'm there.  I am looking forward to making some more new friends at church!

My other two children, Kenny and Korinne, have adjusted to living here in Tennessee better than I have.  I think it's because of they've already made new friends; they don't feel so alone now.  I worried about that; I didn't need to.  All that worry was unnecessary.  They love it here; they love the snow, the colder temperatures; it's all a new, exciting adventure for them.

They'd never seen snow until this winter; now they can't get enough of the white stuff.  :)

I don't like it.  It's cold, it's wet, and it's slippery!  Give me Louisiana's milder climes any day!  My Cajun blood can't handle this cold!  BRRRR!!

It feels more like Alaska here than Tennessee!  I don't do cold weather that well!  LOL

Well, I am going to go now.  Kaysa's calling me; have to see what she needs.  Hopefully it's nothing more than her dropping her toy kitty over the side of the bed again; she does that a lot.  She cannot sleep without her favorite kitty cat! 

I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Kaylee Beausoleil signing off.  Take care, and may God bless you!  Pray that Kaysa (and the rest of us) continue to do well!

~Love, your friend, Kaylee Beausoleil, Nashville, Tennessee.  :)