My husband, Ric, started out writing our son's story.  Now it's my turn.

We have three children:  two daughters, Kiera Rose (13) and Larkspur (Lark) Grace (10), and an eight-year-old son, Lucas Drake.  We live in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

We have a fairly good life; however, our youngest child has serious special needs that require constant monitoring by doctors (and us).  Up until he was three years old, he never had as much as a sniffle; he was never sick.  Now he is literally turning into stone.  He fell off the kiddie slide and ever since, his body has been giving him nothing but problems.

His bones are literally mending themselves in an ongoing process; because of this, it is getting harder and harder for him to move around.  His body is becoming "frozen"; it's as if he is turning into a human statue.  It is very heartbreaking to see because there's really nothing that can be done to help him.

My husband works over 40 hours a week, just so we can have the extra money to be able to pay our bills; the medical bills, as you can imagine, are the worst!  They constantly threaten to eat us alive!  I work, but I am a homeschool instructor; I teach our children at home; that way, I can keep an eye on Lucas in case he falls or has another sort of problem. 

I just thank God that we have a strong, unshakable faith in God because if it were not for Him, we wouldn't get through some of the things we have already faced:  surgeries, hospital stays, pain management, etc.  We know that what our child is going through is only temporary; in Heaven, he will be made whole:  fully and completely healed!!  Oh, how we long for that day!!  Then Lucas will be able to run, jump, and play just like any other little boy!!

His sisters are very good with their little brother.  They are very patient, kind, and loving towards him; it is so refreshing to see!  Once in a blue moon they do argue, but thankfully not for long.  They know the shape that Lucas is in, so they back off.

I guess you can say Lucas is a little spoiled.  Well, he has no choice.  He really can't play or get around like other kids his age, so we tend to indulge in him a little bit.  I know this isn't good, but when we have a child who has a life-altering disease, then what are we supposed to do??

Well, I'm going to catch a few more z's before the alarm sounds at seven; then we can eat our breakfast and get ready to go to church.  Ric or I will write in here again with another update on our family, in particular, Lucas.  We want you to know what is going on with him, in relation to his health.  Just keep us in your prayers; we can really use them on bad days!  Thank you in advance and God bless!

~Love, your friend in New Mexico,  Debbie Ibbotson.  :)