Nashville, TN., 2:00 p.m., C.D.T.~

Dear All~

Sorry if I haven't written in over a year now; it's been crazy at best!  I hope you understand ...

Faye B. Emerson here.  I hope this finds y'all well and reasonably happy.  The last time I wrote, Nicholas was fighting a raging case of pneumonia; it looked like he wasn't going to make it for a while, but Nicholas fought like a champion and beat it.  He is doing very well now; he just turned 9 years old three days ago.  He's gotten so big; we had to get a new wheelchair for him because the one he had previously had gotten too small for his growing body.

That was his birthday present ... that and some therapy toys.  Doesn't seem much like a birthday present, but if they help him, well, more power to him!  We also went to the parade in the morning and went to the "Red, White, and BOOM!" Festival, which was held downtown; it rained off and on for a good part of the day; but the city informed us the day prior that the fireworks would still go on, rain or shine, which was a huge relief.  

The fireworks were nothing short of spectacular, but they were rather smoky; it caused many people to cough and complain.  Guess that's what happens when you shoot off fireworks in the rain ... thank God there were no incidents like there was in California, when a stand tipped over during a professional fireworks display, sending fireworks into the crowd; over 20 were injured, several critically.  That I can be very thankful of!!

We saw more fireworks last night in Goodlettsville, which is near here; we enjoyed them, especially since the weather finally cleared.  Nicholas loves fireworks; all during the display he cooed, laughed, and waved his arms excitedly; he was one very happy little guy!

Ellen and Renate, our other two children, are at a sleepover with their friends; they won't be back untli tomorrow morning, so it's just Trent, Nicholas, and myself.  We are enjoying the peace and quiet.  We will go to church tonight; we would have gone this morning, but Nicholas had a round of the "squirts", and we didn't want him to pass it on to others, so we stayed home.  He seems to be over it now; he hasn't had any movements of his bowels since 9 this morning.  We fed him his lunch and he didn't have any issues, thank goodness!

He is lying on the livingroom floor, watching golf on tv with his daddy.  They are the best of buddies; they are always together when Trent isn't at work.

Meanwhile, I am sitting here across the way, in my study, typing this down.  It is a very relaxing, calm, peaceful Sunday afternoon.  I couldn't ask for a better day, especially since Nicholas is now feeling better from this morning!

We may go to church tonight if Nicholas decides to behave himself; he always seems to have a way of throwing a monkey wrench into the works .... but that is how it is with Canavan's.  It can be so unpredictable; might as well enjoy the quiet while the getting is good ... I'm just glad that Nicholas is still here; he's continued to beat the odds, which has been a huge answer to our prayers!

Well, I am going to fire up the grill (I can be as much as a good griller as my husband!), so I will go for now.  We will then go to church, as I mentioned above.  Until the next time I write, this is Faye B. Emerson saying so long; may God bless you as much as He's been blessing our family!  Take care; will talk to y'all again soon!

~Faye B.  :)