Sunday, November 16, 2008

Hello everyone. It has been a rainy dreary weekend here in Chattanooga. This past week, although productive, was difficult. Many times throughout the week, I caught myself looking for the Zman or hearing his soft purr or his air machine at night, but I have yet to find the source. We did get his room back in order and have made a few changes with the furniture, but in my mind, it will always be Zander's room. We hope that God is holding him close and giving him lots of kisses. Christie is returning to school in the morning and I am headed back in to work as well. Please keep Ethan, Raymond and our family in your prayers. We love and cherish each of you and hope that the week starts off well for everyone. We love you boys! Until next time, with Love, Clancy

Monday, November 10, 2008

Fall in Tennessee truly reveals God's spendor. It has and will always be my favorite time of the year. Our beloved son Zander was laid to rest this past Saturday surrounded by the cornucopia of colors that God reveals to us each year. He is surrounded by many trees upon a hillside that will always allow him to enjoy the outdoors, a place that he truly loved being during his short time with us. We will forever miss the sparkle in his eyes when we strolled with him daily, as he looked at the many shapes and colors that this time of year brings. The silence around here is deafening. I can only hear the purr of my son breathing and the images of last week will forever be etched in my mind's eye. The sufficiency of God's grace evidenced by the outpouring of love and generosity of everyone during this time is all that sustains us. I do not think that grief has set in for Christie nor I as of yet. I cannot adequately describe in words the familial and community love and support received by our family. All I can say is thank you and may God bless and keep each of you. Please keep Ethan and Raymond in your prayers. Pray also for strength for our family as we embark on yet another journey. We know that God is with us although it is difficult to see. Rest easy Houston...sleep tight Jackson...we love you both. Zander, we miss you and love you. Clancy

Hello all. Our beautiful son Zander is now being held by God. He left his earth yesterday at 11:01 a.m. He was not in any pain and he was surrounded by many people that loved him. We are having visitation on Friday, November 7, 2008 at Red Bank Baptist Church (main sanctuary) here in Chattanooga/Red Bank from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. We are having a private graveside service on Saturday for Zander and he will be in a place where he can enjoy the beautiful trees. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MADE AT ANY SUNTRUST BANK IN THE NAME OF ZANDER COVERT. We love each of you and thank you for the many blessings that you have given our family. Please keep Ethan, Raymond and the Weekend #31 men's team and candidates in your prayers. I will write again soon. Love to all. Zander, you don't have to move along anymore. You are home. Clancy

Election Day, November 4, 2008

Good Morning All! Today is the day we have all been waiting for. Tomorrow there will be no news. Yeah! Just kidding. I hope everyone is able to vote today. You will be a part of history today no matter who you vote for. Sorry for my delay in writing, but it has been hectic around the house and at work. Houston and Jackson are doing well and school is going well for both of them. Zander is doing well. We did see the ENT in recent days and this Friday, Zander will undergo surgery to dilate his esophagus again. Once Dr. Kelley finishes this part of the surgery, Dr. St. Charles will insert tubes into Zander's ears and then have an audiologist perform a detailed hearing test. As I understand it, it will be while Zander is under anesthesia so that the test can be as accurate as possible. The goal, at this point is to get Zander hearing something for developmental purposes. The quicker he can hear something, the better off he will be in his development. We are praying that the tubes assist him greatly and we still know that God is in control. Please pray for another miracle in our son's short life. Zander also sees the cardiologist tomorrow. Hopefully his heart problems are continuing to fade, but we will know more tomorrow. Thanks as always for the prayers, comments and encouraging words. We hope everyone is doing well and please keep Zander, Ethan and Raymond Powell in your prayers. I will write again soon. Keep moving along boys, We love you! Clancy

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Good Evening All! Zander wanted everyone to see his costume. We go to the spine doctor on Friday, but we wanted everyone to see Zander in his pumpkin (Yes he is really in the pumpkin).

Please keep Zman, Raymond, Ethan and Dr. Ted in your prayers. We got word tonight that Dr. Ted is coming home from Arkansas! Yeah!!!!! I will write again soon.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Paul! Go Devil Rays!

Love to all. Keep moving along boys.

Clancy

Here is Zander working out with his mobile earlier today. I hope the video works. I am testing this out.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 in the Evening

Good evening all. We hope that everyone is having a great week. Fall is definitely in the air and the weather is wonderful. This time of year in East-Tennessee is beautiful. Above are pictures of the Zman during physical therapy. The first one of him is his way of saying "your hurting me". The second one is of him saying "I'm going to the bathroom" and the third one is of him saying "Look, I'm a big boy!"

Jackson and Houston are at Jackson's soccer practice tonight. This is the last practice of the year and the last game will be this weekend. School is going well for both of them and they have been a great help around the house in recent days. School pictures for Jackson are tomorrow so I am sure that we will have to get up a little early to make sure everything is copacetic with his hair in the morning.

Zander saw Dr. Devoid (his GI doctor) yesterday. Great news. His liver enzymes are where they need to be and he no longer has to take medicine for the cholestasis (jaundice). More importantly, Christie learned how to take out the feeding tube and place a new one in. According to Christie, the doctor took it out and dropped it on the table and said "Okay put it back in." Neither she or I have taken the feeding (G-tube) out and changed it before so after she overcame the abruptness of it being out, she was able to successfully pull it out. Lastly, Dr. Devoid said that he no longer needs to see Zander!!!!Yeah! One doctor down 12, 13 or maybe 10 to go.

Zander also had his esophagus dilated today by Dr. Kelley. We were at the hospital today at 6:00 a.m.; however, we were not released until this afternoon. Dr. Kelley said the esophagus was significantly restricted, but this was to be expected. The procedure went well and Zander has slept for the most part since then. We will see Dr. Kelley again in three weeks for another dilation.

We have heard from Ethan's parents. His is currently about 12 pounds and is doing great. They did go to the transplant specialist in Cincinnati, and thank God, they have been approved for the transplant program. We are so happy for them and it was good to hear from them. We will keep you posted on Ethan's progress.

Tomorrow, we go to see Dr. St. Charles, Zander's ENT doc. We pray tomorrow goes as well as the past two days. We pray specifically for good news regarding Zander's cohanal atresia and hearing issues. We know that Dr. St. Charles is a great doctor and we hope (and pray) that Zander will be able to hear soon.

Please keep Raymond Powell, Ethan and Dr. Ted in your prayers. Thanks to everyone for the comments. It has been hectic and these kind words keep Christie and I going each day.

I will write again soon. Love to all,

Until then,

We love you boys. Sleep tight. Smile big tomorrow Jackson. Keep moving along Zander.

Clancy