The Thief

I can't even begin to tell you how much I hate ALS. I call it the thief because it has stolen so much for me and the ones I love. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. ALS has destroyed Chris body. But it will never take his soul. That belongs to Christ Jesus. I have really came to grips with the extent of Chris disease in the last month. He is now on hospice home care. To be put on hospice a doctor has to think you have 6 months or left to live. That means we have an aid that comes Monday - Friday for an hour or so to help with bathing, and personal care. An RN, therapist, breavement counslor & chaplin comes once a week and a doctor comes when he needs to see a doctor. Hospice has been a tremendous help. I would reccomend Arkansas Hospice to anyone who needs them.
Chris is really really bad. He weighs maybe 115 pounds. He can't talk and he can't do anything for his self. Someone asked me if he was bed ridden now. and i said no. But then later I started thinking about it. I guess he is. I do get him in his wheelchair every day, but if I was not physically able to pull & lift him out of bed he would be "bed ridden." One of the hospice ladies told me they have never seen a patient at home in the condititon Chris is in. I want him at home. The only other choice is a nursing home and I don't want him there if I can help it at all. I'm not crossing that bridge unless I'm dragged across it. That is not how I want my kids to rember their Dad. And a nursing home is not a place for a 38 year old!
A few months ago Chris elected to have no feeding tube or artifical ventalation. I was really mad. But now I see he is braver than me. Who would want to be kept alive like that? Not me. Statistically, ALS patients who choose not to have artifical ventilation don't die of ALS. Phnemonia is the cause of death. I have read everything there is to read about ALS. It is the most cruel disease in existance. 0% medical chance of survival. People just degenrate and become totally peralized, but their mind & ability to feel all touch is still completely intact. A mosquito could bite Chris, he can see it happening, feel it bite and feel the itch. But he can't swat it, tell someone to kill it, or scratch the itch. Peoples progression is different. But it does not usually slow down. Chris' has been very rapid. It sucks. I hate it.
Chris still believes he is going to be healed here on Earth. I wish I could say I believe that to. But I see the impending death staring me in the face. All day. Everyday. I can't selfishly beg the Lord to keep Chris here with us, when I know Paradise with Our Lord and Savior awaits him. God how I would love to see a healing miracle first hand though.
ALS has stole my role as a wife. I have not felt like a wife in over a year. I am caregiver or mother to an adult size baby. My love for Chris has changed, its almost like I love two diffent people. The old Chris was my best friend, lover, protector and perfect match. The Chris who is here now is my child. I take care of him, protect him and comfort him when he is in pain.I love this Chris like I love my children. If I could have back just one part of the the old Chris it would be his ability to talk. It is so indescriably frustrting not being able to communicate with him. I am so so lonely. Friends always tell me if you need to talk I'm here. I know they are, but what do I say. My life sucks. I hate the situation were in. Do I feel any better after telling them that. No. So whats the point. When I get the opportunity to escape this sick house I usually don't want to talk about it. I need some reprieve from this existance.
I have to stay stong for my kids. They are what keeps me going. I love Brittany and Braxton with all I have. I wish I could give them back all ALS stole from them. I try to be the best mom I can be, but some days I feel as if I have nothing left to give. I'm in survival mode, i make it through one day at a time, sometimes I just pray to make it through the hour. I can't even plan the kids a dentist appointment because I don't know where I would be mentally on the day of the appointment. Some days I do ok and otheres I want to run away. If it wasn't for The Lord holing me up I would have faltered long ago. The hospice therapist told me I am numb. That is a good word for what I feel alot of the time. I have been hurt so severely over and over I have built up a thick thick wall to protect myself. I hit rock bottom two months ago and I used those rocks to build a fortress. It takes a whole lot to make me cry now, where I use to bawl like a baby. I don't like
the numbness. But i hated feeling weak. I wish there was a guide book, How to deal with ALS, but there is not. I deal the only way I know how. Wrong or right.
I use to feel guility about feeling the way I do and griping about what ALS took from me when look what it has taken from Chris. But I can't help the way I feel. The thief, has stolen so much from Chris, me, our kids and other loved ones. I hate it. I hate the devil. I can't wait till Jesus Christ throws him into that pit of hell and he will burn for eternity!!! God did not give Chris ALS. All good and perfect gifts are from above and I can promise you ALS is not good or perfect. But I know the Lord is using Chris' testimony for His glory!! I know souls are being added to the Kingdom because of Chris struggles. And I know that the Lord looks down on Chris and says well done my good and faithful servant.

Merry CHRISTmas

     
As Christmas inches closer and closer I think about...I still need to do this & this & this... All that has to be done will get done though! This is such a special time of year. I have been reflecting on the last year alot. Its been hard, but we have also seen and recieved so many blessings!! Our God is so great!
    All of our family Christmas gatherings are going to be at our house this year, as it is to hard to get Chris in the car now and he has to stay out of the cold as much as possible. I am going to attempt to cook my first turkey! I've had it thawing in the fridge since Sunday on my Mom's advice. And I'm in charge of making the dressing as well. Pray for me! Lol! We are really looking forward to having so many loved ones in our home!
    As for Brittany & Braxtons Christmas gifts, they are gonna be spoiled!! In early November I knew we were not going to be able to exchange many Christmas gifts with people this year, with 4 of us living off Social Security Disablility it was just not in the budget. So I sent out emails & messages telling family & friends. Two days later a dear friend sent me a message asking if her office could adopt our family for Christmas! She said to get the kids list together and they would take care of it all!! They even wrapped them and got Chris & I gifts!!! This is our tree after they delivered the gifts!

Of course the kids went crazy when they saw them!!! Thank you so much to my friend and her coworkers for their tremendous generoisty!!!!

The kids attend the Word of Faith Christian Academy in Alpine. It is a great school & we are so blessed to have them there! They both love their school.

Brittany is in 6th grade. She misses school when she is not there, well she misses her friends anyway! Braxton is in 1st grade. He is a little fire cracker for sure! He keeps us laughing!

The first week of November we got to go up to Branson! We had such a great time! Silver Dollar City is one of our favorite places on Earth! We got to go to SDC for 2 days and loved it! All the lights, trees, yummy food & the Wassil :)  

I am no longer working much at all. I still rent tuxes or meet people at my shop when they need somthing. I will work for Valentines day though. Chris has to have constant care now, so I am needed at home with him. He can no longer do anyhting for hisself. He has to be dressed, feed and completely be taken care of by me. He only weighs about 120 pounds now. He can also not talk much at all. He tries but everything sounds the same. Communication with him is what I miss the most. He spends his days reading the Bible and watching tv, mostly preaching, as Braxton calls it. He loves having company! He lights up when people come over and talk and tell him stories!

We have so many people that do so much for us and we are so very thankful for each and everyone of you!! Our church family is amazing. They provide dinner for us every Wednesday, which is a big help. It has happened so many times this year that we would be almost broke and we would get a card or someone would come by with a check or some cash. It is just amazing! Thank you for being blessings.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jesus Christ is the reason for the season!!!

Love & God Bless, Chris, Autumn, Brittany & Braxton Fagan

One Year

I have dreaded this post, but I know it needs to be wrote. It is very emotional for me. Aug 13, 2010 was the day we found out the diagnosis the doctor had for Chris. The worst day of our lives. The doctor was suppose to call days before when he had the test results, and he didn’t. So I called him that morning. When the receptionist answered and I told her who I was, she froze and asked me to hold. The doctor came on and told me, motor neuron disease. He spelled it out for me and then he said to Google it, then he hung up. So I got on the computer and looked it up. Chris was diagnosed with ALS also known as Lou Gheriks, a terminal disease. Chris was on his way home from work at the time. When he walked in the door I was already a basket case. It was a terrible terrible day.
In a year our lives have changed so dramatically. Chris physical health has diminished so rapidly it seems. He can no longer take care of his self or be left alone for more than an hour. He is completely wheelchair bound. I have to pull him in and out of bed every morning and every night, as well as help with all bodily needs. I was looking at pictures last night, and the weight loss is staggering. Chris was so strong and athletic. I often referred to him as a “health nut.” People that have not seen him in a while, can’t believe the changes in his body. We have even had people take off crying after seeing him. That’s really hard on us.
His loss of speech is what hurts us the most. It is so hard for us to communicate. He has his white board that he can use his left hand some to write on. a lot of times when he try’s to tell me something we both wind up getting frustrated and just give up. I miss talking with my best friend so much.

It is hard on the kids to not have a dad they can play with or talk with anymore. He was such a playful parent and they miss that. Now they have to help their daddy get his shoes on, get his wheel chair loaded and unloaded, wipe his mouth and fetch him this and that, among other things. They both do so good. Especially Brittany, she is such a HUGE help. We thank God for her everyday!!
I get so angry at times at friends and family who don’t come around to see him, or when they do come around they ignore him. I know its hard to see him in this shape, but he is still the same Chris. We have lost so many people that we use to be close to because it bothers them or they are to busy to come visit. But do we blame them, no. It just hurts sometimes and we miss them. If you do see us, please know, Chris mind is FINE!! Don’t ignore him. Talk to him. Include him, look at him. Trust me, he doesn’t miss anything. Praise God, we have others that we have grown closer to and new friends that we have made. Some of the people who we thought would always be around for us left and others that we would not have expected to, our some of our greatest support.
As the caregiver I get wore out. I am rising two kids, running a household and taking care of an disabled adult. I don’t get much help. And to be fair I don’t really ask for help. People that are close to us should know what we need. I don’t feel like I should have to ask. Volunteer. Cook a meal. Chris is use to me and its easiest on him if I am here. Its hard. Its mentally and physically exhausting. But it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I love Chris, Brittany and Braxton as much as humanly possible. It is for them and by the Grace of Jesus I keep going, with JOY in my heart!
I get asked EVERYDAY by people. How are ya’ll. Some want to hear how bad we have it. We both will tell you, we’re doing good. And we are. How? You may ask? With all I just told you. Jesus Christ is our rock!! This last year may have been the worst physically of our lives, but it has been the BEST spiritually. We have grown so much closer to Our God and Our Savior than we could ever imagined before. He has provided everything for us. We use to look to family or each other to take care of us if we needed something. We knew we had family that would help us out of a bind if we needed it. Now Our Lord has taught us, look only to Him. He will provide for ALL our needs!! And He does!!
He continues amazes me! Just today I got a letter in the mail saying we were going to get a check for $398 for us being overcharged for something almost two years ago. How does that happen? God! His timing may not always line up with mine, but it always works out perfectly.
God has even sent us friends who really believe with us. There really are some of us who absolutely believe in healing. We needed people to believe with us. And God has introduced us to lots of people who do. You can read my previous blog post that gives a fuller description of what we are believing Our God for. And we have full faith that He has given Chris earthly healing, we are just waiting on the manifestation! We are not praying for healing anymore we are praising Him for it!! What a testimony to God’s glory and power that Chris and I are going to get to share!!! We are NOT planning a funeral, we are planning a ministry!!!
John 14:9-219 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
This last year has been hard, no doubt. But it has also been a blessing. We have gotten to know Our Lord in a way that few do. We would not trade that for anything.

May God Bless you and yours!
Love, Autumn & Chris Fagan
(P.S. our address is 138 Pine Street Amity, AR 71921 Chris likes getting cards :)

We believe....

          So today has been a rough day. The worst we’ve had in a long time. Its been an emotional & physically painful day. Chris felt really bad. Seeing him like he was today is really hard. I wish there was more I could do. Its heart wrenching. Sometimes I don’t know if I can take it another minute, but I do. Today I held my hands up and cried out, Help Me Jesus! And guess what, HE did! Like he always does!!!! Chris is felling much better now!! And we are believing the Lord that today is the worst day we will ever have. No more days like today.
        My last few post on this blog have been about trips and family things. I feel it is important to reemphasis what is getting us through. Our Faith in JESUS Christ!! We absolutely believe that Chris is healed. But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5        We have some scriptures we are standing on. Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. Jeremiah 33:6 Of course we see what it looks like. Chris’ physical health is deteriorating everyday. We know there is not cure for ALS in the natural world. But we know and have FAITH in our GOD who has healed people with ALS before (& countless other incurable diseases for that matter!) Our God answers prayers!! Faith pleases Him!!
We know there are many who don’t believe that Chris is healed and they think we are a little off. But, that’s ok with us. We are fighting with the sword of Gods Word and the Shield of Faith!! We choose to believe God’s Word and we are walking in Faith not by sight. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:3-4

If all this is “Greek” to you and you would like to know more about Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and an eternity in Heaven with Him please contact me! I Would love to share Him with you!! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17　
　
       Jesus has taken great care of us so far and we know that He will continue!! For months we have needed a handicap shower. Bath time is hard. I prayed months ago, and the Lord impressed that He would provide. So we gave it to Him. And guess what, the Sharing J.E.D (Jesus Every Day) Foundation is putting us in a handicap accessible bathroom this Saturday, among other things. This was totally GOD provided! Just like He said He would. I did not ask for this, the precious family over the foundation contacted me!! (Expect a full blog about it in the near future!) After they first came to take measurements of our bathroom and looked at the walls to take out we were just amazed. When they left, Chris held up his board with Ephesians 3:20 wrote on it, Ephesians 3:20-21 says, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.       I once again want to ask you all to continue to keep sending up prayers to the throne of Christ for Chris and Our Family. I know so many of you are praying for us every single day and we thank you so very much. May God Bless you and yours!!!

A short story I wrote.... Heaven Rocks

Heaven Rocks

As I was pulling off the main dirt road onto the land that has belonged to my family for generations & generations I could not believe that it stll looked the same as it did seventeen years ago when I left it. I was the first Murphy to leave this county since my Great Great Great Grandpa, Sam Murphy settled here in the 1800’s. I could not wait to get out of this south east Arkansas dead zone. I headed off to Brown University on full scholarship for the summer session twenty-two days after my high-school graduation. I have never regretted it. I love my job as a free lance writer and my small New York City apartment is where I feel at home.
I try and visit the family here once or twice a year, usually for Mothers Day and either Thanksgiving or Christmas. But this visit was unexpected. My Granddad, Poppa Joe Murphy, had a heart attack yesterday and died. He was eighty-six years old and still worked this old farm like a twenty year old and he was still preaching a couple Sundays a month. I had told him for years to slow it down, retire, let the younger family members handle it. He would laugh and remind me of our “bargin” as he called it, when I will move back home and run the numbers part of the farm he would retire. Both of us knew the other would never concede on his part.
It was Poppa Joe that encouraged me to go of to school. He said a man had to make his own way. I had a on-campus job and scholarships but expenses were still more than I make at times. It was always then that I would get an letter from Poppa Joe with a few hundred dollar bills in it. It was like he just knew. I never asked him, he just always sent it at just the right time. His letters always ended with a scripture number. So I would have to take down my old Bible from the back of the shelf and see what Poppa Joe was quoting. I think he could quote every verse in the “good book,” as he called it. As for standard education, Poppa Joe, went through the eight grade.
Poppa Joe made my dad, Tim Murphy, take it easier on me than he did on my brothers and cousins. I still had to do my fair share of the detested chores, but if I was reading or studying Poppa said I was working hard enough, let the boy be. Pulling in to Poppa Joe’s & Granny Shirley’s house I could not help but smile at all my nieces, nephews and little cousins playing out in the yard. Sprinkler going and kids running. Over by the fence still set Poppa Joe’s old rusted 54 Ford pick-up. Grass growing under it where the weed eater wouldn’t reach. I don’t remember that truck running in the last twenty years, but yet there it sat.
As I parked my rented SUV by all the other dusty vehicles in the yard up ran Jimmy and enveloped me in a big bear hug. I love all the kids in my family, but I have always had a special bond with Jimmy. He is twelve years old now, my oldest brothers third child. Jimmy is kinda slow mentally. He has never been clinically diagnosed with anything, he just is not as sharp as most kids his age. He enjoys playing with the younger kids other than his cousins and neighbor boys who have girls on their minds. I was glad to see that Jimmy was not by his self sulking over Poppa Joe’s passing. Jimmy has been Poppa Joe’s shadow since he was big enough to walk. He spent more nights with Poppa Joe & Granny Shirley than he did with his parents, especially in the summers. I talked to Jimmy every Tuesday night when I would call Poppa and Granny. Jimmy always had a story to tell, usually involving him and Poppa Joe. When Jimmy released me he was so excited and talking so fast, “Uncle Tommy, Uncle Tommy did you know that Poppa Joe got to go live with Jesus! Did you know? Did you know, Uncle Tommy?” I put my arm around his shoulder and said yes Jimmy, I have herd. Lets go inside now and let me say hello to the rest of the family. I greeted all the kids on my way in with hugs, head rubs and hand shakes depending on their wants. Most southern boys above age ten, stick their hands out, they have outgrown the hugs.
As I entered the kitchen, Granny Shirley, my mom and aunts all started giving out hugs and some wet kisses. I rembered why I started sticking out my hand for hand shakes instead when I was eight.
The kitchen had food everywhere. Casserole dishes and pie plates were stacked three deep in some places. When someone dies in the south the thing to do is send the family food. As big as the Murphy clan is, neighbors had sent plenty. I knew there would be lots of kin-folks and neighbors over after the days work was done to help eat it. The men were gathered in the living room and lots of back slaps commenced.
The next day the arrangements were made for Poppa Joe’s funeral and the next day the plans were carried out. As far as funerals went Poppa Joe’s was pretty good. Not many tears were shed. Everyone who knew Poppa Joe knew what kind of faith he had. I didn’t have that kind of faith. I believe in God, but I gotta do my part. After the funeral there was a huge get together at Granny Shirley’s. I got to see many friends and neighbors I grew up with. Most with a few kids of their own. They all like to tease the city boy. They all seem so content to still be living in the same places and doing the same things. I don’t get it, but good for them.
My Dad and uncles asked if I could stay a while and sort out the farm finances. It was no problem. I can free lance write from anywhere. As I began going through Poppa Joe’s accounting books, more and more did not make sense. It seemed money would just show up. Bank accounts would be about to be over drawn and then there would be thousand dollar deposits and the note would always be the same HR. These deposits did not coincide with the cow sales or the chicken houses which is where most of the farm income came from.
I first went to Granny Shirley and I asked her bout the HR deposits. She started laughing and said son surely you have not forgot your grandpas heaven rocks. Then I remembered. Sometime before Poppa Joe’s family ever settled here apparently an asteroid had hit and made a small crater. It threw small meteorite rocks over 5 square miles. When I was in Jr. high a college professor came out with his class and documented the find. They found a few asteroid rocks and Poppa Joe let them keep them. They sent Poppa Joe a check for $1400 for eight rocks. After that the family started watching for what Poppa Joe called heaven rocks. Poppa Joe would always go out after a good rain and walk the fields and roads looking for his Heaven Rocks. He found a few that we knew of. But that surely was not where all the 100’s of HR deposits came from. Poppa Joe had only found and sold a few meteorite rocks to a man in Dallas as far as Granny Shirley knew of.
The next night we had a family dinner and while all the adults were still in the kitchen after dinner I asked everyone if they knew about the HR deposits. No one knew for certain, but everyone had stories about Grandpa Joe giving them money just when they needed it. Like when Aunt Sue had just had the twins and Samantha needed braces. She could not work because of the 3 kids and Poppa Joe came by and gave her and Uncle Dale all the money they needed to pay off the hospital bills and to pay for Samantha’s braces. Or when Granny Shirley wanted to go on the trip to Ireland with her sister, but the plane tickets alone were over $1,000 and she knew she could not spend that kinds of money. Poppa Joe comes in one afternoon and hands her and envelope that says enjoy your trip and there was $3000 inside. She asked him, Joe where did you get this and he would say the Lord provided! There were stories from everyone on how Grandpa Joe brought them envelopes with the money they needed. They never asked for it, but some how Poppa Joe just knew. He would always tell them that the Lord provides for His children.
The next day I went back into Poppa Joe’s office determined to find out more about the heaven rock money. I did not find in any of the accounting books records of the money he had given the family at various times. I started going through the book shelves, nothing. Then when I moved into the closet in Poppa Joe’s office, book after book on meteorites, and even an EBay for Dummies book. Poppa Joe knew about eBay, I was astonished. Then there was the blue binders. Poppa Joe had recorded all the meteorites he had ever sold. There were 1000’s. Mostly they were sold to the same three people and always for cash. Poppa Joe had found way more meteorites than any of us could of imagined. When I had every thing sorted out I showed it all to the family. It explained so much. Poppa Joe was always so certain that the Lord would provide all that a person needed if they served Him.
Two days before I was to head back to New York it came a hard summer rain overnight. That morning at breakfast Jimmy came in rubber boots and overalls on and he was carrying an old rake that had magnets strapped to it and metal detector. Granny Shirley teared up, as did everyone else. Jimmy always went with Poppa Joe to look for heaven rocks after a rain. Uncle Dale told Jimmy you don’t have to go out looking for Heaven Rocks anymore, Grandpa Joe is already there and has plenty heaven rocks now. I told Jimmy, as soon as I finish eating breakfast I will go with you and look for heaven rocks. Jimmy was ecstatic. He could not wait for me to finish.
I let Jimmy lead, he knew the route. He had been taking these walks with Poppa Joe since he was three. We walked and we walked. Occasionally Jimmy would bend over and pick up a rock, then toss it down. Until he spotted one and he looked at it and looked at it. Then he handed it to me, look Uncle Tommy, it’s a heaven rock. I had looked at Poppa Joes meteorite books and sure enough it looked like the meteorites in the books. That was the only one we found that day, but Jimmy was satisfied and so was I.
As we were walking up the hill I turned toward the house and Jimmy grabbed me and said we gotta put the Heaven Rock in the truck Uncle Tommy. I asked what he meant. Jimmy grabbed my hand and let me over to the old 54 Ford. First he opened the old tool box in the back of the truck, and said, nope to full, then he opened the other side, to full. Then he opened the gas tank and in he tossed the heaven rock. I could not believe it that old truck was full of meteorites. In the floor board, gas tank, and the tool boxes. Poppa Joe had been collecting meteorites for years and tossing them in an old pickup truck. When his family needed the money he would take out what he needed. God had provided.

Plains Trains & Automobile

Greetings Friends!!! My is it HOT here in southen Arkansas!! Praise the Lord for air conditioning!! We are all doing really good. Enjoying this special time of year where the kids get to be home with us! Brittany gets to sleep in, which she loves, almost as much as her brother loves waking her up ;) Braxton has eased up on the Mario play. It is not constant any more! The kids play in Braxtons room alot. Sometimes we may not see them for a couple hours before they emerge and let me know they are hungry, thirsty etc. We are so blessed to have kids that get along so well!!
     Three weeks ago on a Wednesday morning Chris and I got to talking and decided to head out on a road trip. We left out that same Wednesday! I got the bills payed up, put the mail on hold, took care of some other bussiness and we headed out! Braxton kept asking, "how is it today?" We were all use to well planned out trips. That has nothing to do with my OCD tendicies I'm sure! :) It was really fun to be spontaneous though!! No schedule, no time frame just what ever we wanted to do when we wanted to do it. We have only been on one other trip with just us and our kids, two years ago we got to go to Hershey Pennsylvania.
      We knew that we wanted to go out to Colorado where our aunt & uncle manage a campground. Our first night was spennt in Oaklahoma City, then next was somewhere in the Texas panhandle. Then we headed to Chama, New Mexico. We spend two nights in Chama. Chama is about 35 miles from Aspen Glade Campground that Larry an Betty Harmon manage. New Mexico is beautiful!! The kids and I had never been out west so we got to see some neat things. I knew we were gettting into some beautiful country when the kids put down their DS's and started looking out the window!
    The evening we arrived in Chama, Betty & Larry came to visit us at our hotel. The next day we headed out to their campground for a relaxing day of picnicking!

On the drive to Aspen Glade I took this shot. See the SNOW!

Braxton wanted to play in said snow. He just didn't know why I would

not drive him up to it! :)

Larry & Betty Harmon (Betty is my Mom's sister)

Their campground is on the Conejos River. It is fully supplied by snow melt.

Braxton was ready to go swimming! After stepping into the 54 degrees

water he changed his mind pretty quick! The water was clear, cold & absolutely beautiful.

Betty and Larry have several "pet" chipmunks around their camp. The kids

loved them!! They eat scraps and will let you get pretty close to them.

We found a cabin to stay in closer to Betty & Larrys camp, in Mongote, Colorado, Mongote Meadows RV park. We rented a small cabin for a couple of nights. They had a laundry mat right by our cabin so that was great. We only had four outfits each so I was able to get our clothes washed up. The cabin was small & inexpensive. But it meet our needs just fine. The kids had a bedroom with two twin size beds, Chris had a room with a full size bed and I slept on the couch. We could not sit outside on the cabin porch though. The place was infested with mosquitios! I mean infested!!

The cool tourist thing in this area is the Cumbress Toltec Scenic Railroad. Braxton really wanted to ride the train. But for the four of us to ride would have been $300. Luckily, Larry knows alot about the railroad, so we got a good railroad experience without the hefty price tag. We took a 4X4 adventure with Betty and Larry to see the Osier Station where the trains stop and the passengers get to eat lunch. We loaded up in the Harmon's Nissan 4 wheel drive. Chris & Larry took the front, the kids Betty and I rode in the back. We had a great view of the mountains and the wild life. We got to eat a great lunch at Osier station, it was built in the 1800's. Braxton got an upclose look at the trains.

We snuck into another train crossing where we got to put some pennies to smash on the tracks.

Brittany is displaying our smashed coins

This was taken from the bed of the 4X4

The next day we took a less bumpy trip. We went to see another train crossing, right off the paved road. Our little train enthuist got to see the old steam train fill up with water.

Notice Braxton walking on the tracks, even after he had been told

several times to stay off. He just had to see up close!

The Harmon's then showed us around the camp ground they had managed the previous two years. Trujillio Meadows. It had a beautiful waterfall

We struggled with were to head after Colorado. We really wanted to go up to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.  But that is alot of driving for one person and we only had so much money to spend. So we decided we would head to Branson, Missouri. One of the kids favorite places. We headed back towards New Mexico. We got to stay at a Quailty Inn in New Mexico for free, because the choice hotel group had a special promotion going. Stay 2 nights get a 3rd night free. So that was a perk. It was a cool hotel with a pool, hot tub and playground. Kids loved it!

The next night we made it to Oaklahoma City. We got to stay with our cousins Steve, Crystal & Oakley Caruthers. We all had a great time with them!! We ordered out pizza for dinner and got to have a great visit! 

Then we were off to Branson. My first stop was Branson Tourism Center. They have the best deals that I have found. I booked our hotel, got our Silver Dollar City & show tickets all through them and got a great package deal.

We had show tickets to Hamner Barber. It was pretty funny! Magic and comedy.

The next day we got to go to Silver Dollar City. Braxton LOVED Gyser Gulch, or as he called it the ball pit!

Saturday we shopped at Branson landing then got to watch the final Harry Potter movie that night on the IMAX screen.

Sunday we got to go back to Silver Dollar City. We where there from 9 am till 6 pm. It was GREAT way to end our vacation!!!

We have been home for over a week now and we have been thinking about our next adventure...... what shall it be?!?

God bless You all! Hope you are having a great a summer as we are!!!

Love, The Fagan's

 

Vacation Pictures

hello again friends! We have been home a week now, after our vacation. Chris, Brittany, Braxton, Mama, Papaw, Mimi, Jacinda & I all had a great time. We enjoyed our time in Galveston. The kids loved the Rain Forest Cafe and Moody Gardens. They also spent alot of time in the resorts pool!

On the cruise we went to Montego Bay, Jamaica

The ocean was absolutely georgeous! We spent our day at Sunset Beach Resort.

I booked the excursion through island marketing.

We got to see 2 rainbows while there! Rainbows are such blessings

from God. They are just so beautiful!

Grand Cayman

In Grand Cayman Brittany, Braxton, Mama & I went to the sea turtle farm. The kids

even got to hold some hatchlings. We got to snorkel in the lagoon there and

we saw lots of fish & sea turtles.

In Cozumel, Mexico we went to the Nachi Cocom beach club.

We love this that place. It was a great day.

The kids spent the whole day in the ocean. We snorkeld

and seen some really neat fish, built sand castles and ate

some yummy Mexican food! Then back at the cruise terminal we

did some shopping.

The Sunday after we got back home was Chris' 38th Birthday.

Our church had a special birthday  benefit for Chris.

Alot of people came and ate BBQ & visited. We are so thankful

for our church family. I could not imagine going through what we

have with out their love & support!

Things have gotten alot harder in the last two months. Chris is using a wheelchair at all times now. He has to have assistance with most everything . Luckily he is a small guy and I am able to lift him to his feet to help him in & out of bed & his chair. Brittany is also a huge help. I don't know what I would do with out my girl. She has more responsibilities than any 11 year old should have to have.  We really need to have our bathroom modified. It is not handicap accessible and it makes bath time really difficult. The handicap bathroom we had on the cruise ship was wonderful.  Eating is also a challenge. Lots of foods cause him to cough and he is not able to eat them.

Things that we use to give no thought to are now challenges to us. Like going out to eat. That is 2 times getting in the car and 2 times getting out. It takes about 5 minutes each time. Brittany has to hold the chair & I have to help Chris in and out. Then ordering food, we have to be very selective. Drinks, cups have to be small & stay full or he can't drink. Going anywhere takes planning. Do they have accesible family bathrooms? Are there wheel chair ramps? We took the kids to see Cars 2 today. First time we have been to the movies since January. Chris starting coughing some and people got up and moved. I don't know how to handle things like that. Should we have left? And then people who will talk to me with Chris right beside me & talk about him. Talk to him! He is still the same Chris & his mind is fine!! The security guy in the Houston airport was the worst we have ever experienced. I told him twice there is nothing wrong with his mind! I had to work really hard not to get angry at that guy! Praise Jesus He kept my temper at bay! 

Our faith in Gods Word has not changed. We are praying every day for Chris' total healing. Our Lord has done it before and He will do it again! I know so many of you pray for us everyday, and we are so very thankful! Please keep those prayers going up! We love you all so very much! I read a great book the other day that I highly reccomend, Heaven is for Real. I read it all in one evening.  God bless you all!!

love, Autumn