Sunshine on a cloudy day...

Shaun's older brothers, Stephen and Scottie, came to visit yesterday afternoon.  One of Denise's friends, Erin Sullivan drove the boys down to UVA from Berryville so that they could visit their brother and spend time with their Mommy.

Denise said that it was wonderful to see them... and terrible.. and fantastic.. and sad... all these emotions rolled into one.  While they were visiting, the boys asked her, "when are you and Shaunie coming home?"  And she had to reply that at this point she doesn't know if Shaun will be coming home... as she put it to her boys "home to play with you, or home in Heaven to play with Sarah".

It is so hard.. not knowing.. not having answers.. waiting.

Still, Stephen and Scott added so much sunshine to the room, not only by their loving presence, but they decorated Shaun's room with pictures that they colored, and made paper "chains of love" with pictures and messages on them.  Stephen wrote on some of his chains, "You are my little champ, Love Stephen", "We love you!", and "You get better"!  Scottie wrote, "Scottie Loves Shaun" and "You are a Super Hero!".

They both loved kissing on Shaun and spending some time with their Mommy.  Really, it was so good for them to come visit.. for them and for Denise (and Shaun!).
Thank-you, Erin, for taking the time to serve our family in this special way!

Shaun "sleeps" on, as we wait, hope, and pray that the new medicine will work (apparently it takes 2-3 days for the load dose of Topamax) and the brain activity will return to normal so that Shaun can be woken up to interact with us again.

Sweet Family Moments... Enjoying Shaun

 One of the things on my bucket list is to get a good family picture... This was taken without warning and I am so happy to have it. Hope we can get a picture that we are all dressed for but if not, at least we have a family photo!

The boys love each other so much. It does my heart so well to see how much love they have for one another. I like to say that they make my Heart SING!!

 Shaun is loving playing on his little mat lately. He can pull the birds and rings to make it sing and light up. Its what he spends lots of time doing each day.

Sweet moments with my boy. He is so affectionate, as long as you give him the chance. He loves giving kisses if you will let him. Lately he learned about butterfly kisses and eskimo kisses. These are the moments I hold onto.

 Scottie wanted to be "twins" with his brother. Its so amazing to see the bond between these two boys. Scottie will sit and hold Shaun for hours. It's so sweet!!

 Shaun loves music. Scottie, Shaun and I love to dance to different songs and be silly. One of our favorite is the "cha cha slide". It has easy directions to follow and a fun beat. Otherwise we love dancing to the Wiggles and other kids songs and could do it all afternoon!

Dancing Cheek to Cheek!

Momma and her Boys!!
Mommy Heaven!

Sweet Moments....

We have had some busy days... but not too busy to take time out to have some fun. Here is a little bit of what we've been up to. Trying to make every moment count.

Sweet Shaun Kisses

Hands are for kissing

Making the birdie sing

Mrs. Erin visits

Brothers matching

Look how big we are!!

I want a picture with Shaunie too!!

Dancing together

Dancing cheek to cheek

Love Moo Cow

Sitting in the high chair for the first time since coming home!

We love our brother!!

These are just a few moments that we share. I am so thankful for all the love and support poured out on our family. We have been blessed with countless meals, people coming to hold and love on Shaun, play dates and so much more. Thank you for loving on our family.

Happy Easter!

 On Saturday, we were able to take Shaun to our annual Easter in the Park celebration where there are games, prizes, Egg grab, bounce houses and sunshine. We haven't been able to get out much but he tolerated about an hour before he was ready to go home. It was wonderful to be able to make these memories with the boys this year. I praise God that He conquered sin and death and we were able to celebrate it and teach our kids about it. HE HAS RISEN! INDEED!!

Bubbles with Brothers! at the
"wash you clean as snow" station.

Easter in the Park 2013

Shaun even got some eggs to get a "Prize!"

Home Sweet Home

After over a month (due to the smoke damage in the Steyeart house and then the extended hospitalization) -- Denise and Shaun finally returned to their home late Thursday night to join their anxiously waiting Daddy and brothers.  It is a super crazy time right now to adjust to all the new care that Shaun requires while trying to get the house in order.   Still, SO GOOD to be HOME!

UVA update: A special visit

Denise and (especially) Shaun were SO excited to have Stephen and Scottie come visit yesterday along with good friends, Becca Wallace and Erin Gum.  When they arrived - before seeing Shaun - they were taken to the education room where they learned all about tracheostomies on a little play dinosaur.

When they finally got to Shaun's room - he lit up, opened his eyes all the way and started "going nuts", moving his arms all around!  Shaun knows his brothers and missed them so!!
Becca packed an awesome picnic lunch for the boys!

After lunch, it was time for Shaun's physical and occupational therapy.  The therapists were really great about including Stephen and Scottie in the therapy session.

During the visit, both Becca and Erin were able to get trained on trach care -- which is really nice for Denise to have other friends around her in Berryville that can "help".

The Steyearts are so blessed by their friends- who have truly been the hands and feet of Christ to their family.

Today Shaun will be getting a MRI to follow up from previous ones and look for changes in his brain - especially with Shaun's new choreal movements and lack of skills.   They are still hoping to be discharged on Thursday - and just trying to figure out all of the logistics for Shaun's care and a safe transport home.   Keep praying!!!