The Riggs Family Christmas tree 2010 version.

Jo finally let me put white lights on our christmas tree this year. I love em! There are much more bright and elegant.

Obligatory carousel ride.

Trunk or Treat!

Karson is not doing well . We would really appreciate it if you all would pray that he will be at peace and feel comfort. Thanks for all your support the comments have helped so much!

Hadley and Karson love Books

I love the way Karson looks at Hadley. You can see in his eye's how much he loves her.

Today was the funeral of a sweet little boy named Jonas Coleman and I have to say my heart aches. The day Karson was diagnosed our world came crashing down and I didn't know if I would ever be happy again. Abby (Dr. Swoboda's nurse) asked if we would like to talk to someone that had a child with SMA so we would be able to ask questions to see what was in store for us. That day, Whit (Jonas's dad) came to talk to us, it was such a blessing more than he know's. It comforted us and gave us hope that we could have a normal life, well a "new" normal. Ever since then, we have had a special bond with this family . I always had a feeling that we new them in the pre existence and I know that these two little boy's were good buddies and do missionary work on the other side. This has been so tough for me! I knew that not only would we lose our son but also all those other little special kids. I do have to say that it give's me comfort knowing that Jonas and Ryan will be there waiting for Karson. We love you Jonas and family!! Below is Jonas' sweet obituary.

Our dear sweet little boy, Jonas, was welcomed home into the loving arms of our Savior on Nov. 18, 2010. For almost three years Jonas quietly but bravely endured the progression of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type I, a progressive neuromuscular disorder.
Jonas was born Dec. 2, 2007, to loving parents Whit and Lindsey. Jonas had the most expressive, blue eyes that could speak more eloquently than any words ever could. Jonas was a happy, peaceful and calm little boy who enjoyed nothing more than the simple things in life. Family vacations to Disneyland and St. George were some of his favorite times as he was able to be surrounded by the people he loved and the things he loved to do. He had a deep love of music especially anything Disney and would always smile when he heard his favorite songs. Some of his other loves were being read to, lights, stars, swimming, watching Disney movies, exploring outside, looking at trees and listening to birds. With the odds against him, Jonas held on to see his baby sister Maggie born and loved lying beside her while she snuggled up to his side. Jonas had the greatest gift of inspiring and influencing everyone he met. He changed lives forever. Jonas taught us more in his short life than we could ever have taught him in ten life times.
Jonas is survived by his parents Whit and Lindsey and sister Maggie, grandparents Mark and Becky Mathie, Mike and Merri Coleman, and great grandpa Frank Coleman, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and many other family members.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Kathryn Swoboda and the Pediatric Motor Disorders Research Group, Dr. Paul Ferreira and staff at Holladay Clinic, IHC home health, Peterson Medical (Orem) and Make-A-Wish for granting Jonas’ wish to visit Disneyland one last time. It was his happy place.
A celebration of Jonas’ life will begin at 12 Noon on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at the Wilford Stake Center, 3080 S Kenwood St (1765 E). There will be a viewing held at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, on Monday evening from 6 - 8 pm. as well as Tuesday morning at the ward from 10:30 -11:45 am. Jonas was a true blessing and we miss him already. We love you little buddy OFF TO NEVERLAND!

Karson hugging Hadley (pic taken long time ago)

This blanket that's on Karson and his friends was made by a special woman named MJ( MJ has sma too) and her care giver. They make blanket's for all the kids with SMA.

Hadley's holding Karson here.

He's wondering what she's doing.

They like to watch movies together in his bed but Hadley fell asleep.

Our newest family member.... Hank Riggs!

I'm sorry that it has taken so long to update our blog but we've been a little overwhelmed the last few months. A year ago, Karson's stomach started to shut down, so to make a long story short he has had a PICC Line since the first part of last November. For those of you that don't know what that is, it's a tube that goes into his arm and to the top of his heart. We have had what's called TPN running 24 hours a day everyday for almost a year now and it was putting him in Liver failure. We have had a love and Hate relationship with it . He wouldn't be alive if he hadn't had it but at the same time it could of killed him from with the infections that he got from it and the TPN is so hard on your body . It has caused so much stress to us !! Karson spent a month trying to get over his sepsis so that meant constant IV antibiotics and sleepless nights. One of the time's we were in the hospital a Dr. from France that takes care of SMA kids happened to be with Dr. Swoboda and so she had him come and look at Karson. He mentioned a drug to get his stomach working and little by little with the help of the drug we have finally reached his goal. Guess What everyone Karson got his PICC Line OUT! This is such a MIRACLE!!!
Hadley is such a sweet little girl. She has so much love for her brother and is always concerned about him. They truly are best friends when she's sad she just want's to be right next to her brother so we take his arms and wrap them around her. It breaks my heart ! It's not fair for a little girl to have to think about death at such a young age. She actually has talked alot about it , and what Karson will be doing when he passes away. It gives her comfort knowing that her brother won't have SMA and that one day he will be able to run and play with her but it's still hard .
We've had some experiences this last month that have reminded how close we are to the spirit world. Most people go through life not thinking to much about life after death but to tell you the truth we think about it constantly. Karson has lot's of friends that he see's and he makes it known to us that their there but we can 't see them. Well in the last month he has had two respiratory arrests one of them was just last Monday. They were both horrible experiences that unfortunately Hadley witnessed. Let me just say he shouldn't be ALIVE. He was not BREATHING at all and his heart rate was very low. Thank heavens we didn't have to do chest compressions I don't know if I would have put him through that. It's kindof hard to explain how we have felt going through all of this. I am so greatful to Heavenly Father for letting him still be with us. I know he had Angel's watching over him both times actually 3 times. He had a respiratory/cardiac arrest in Primary's . I have to admit I feel ANGER at times and sorrow for us. I feel sorry for myself knowing that my little boy will never say mom or run across the room or play football. I hate wondering everytime I buy him clothes if he will live long enough to wear them. I could go on forever but I won't . It's just tramatic to go through all that we have been through and so I guess I'm just venting. His disease has progressed and obviously his respiratory system has become weaker and is unable to come off of his Bi-pap not even for 30 seconds. We are going to the hospital next week to get an X-Ray of all the bones in his body because of the pain he's been having. There bones can break just by turning them or even changing their diapers. If that comes out normal than they start him on some Morphin or a pain patch. I didn't know this until the other day that SMA kids develop chronic pain. It makes me sad and I 'm not excited about giving him narcotics for the rest of his life but we definitely don't want him in pain.

I forgot to mention there has been a new addition to our family his name is Hank and we are in love with him. A man was selling him on a corner and we stopped just to look and couldn't resist his cute little face.

I Love this Picture (Ryan and his Mommy )

This Sweet little boy's name is Ryan White. Unfortunately he passed away on August 9th, 2010 from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Ryan was such a fighter !!! He had to endure many trials in his short life but especially the last few months as his little body was shutting down.

The name of this picture is take my hand.

This is one of the days we were able to take him outside. He loves it!

I've always tryed to not take things for granted but after Karson was born I realized that I was. A couple of weeks ago we took Hadley and Karson to toy story (one of his favorite shows) I know that doesn't sound like a big deal but it was HUGE for us , and Karson LOVED it! Ever since Karson was diagnosed we were told it was best for him not to be around people because the more he gets sick the less time we will have with him. Ever since then I have really been PARANOID about germs and being in the hospital 9 times hasn't made it easier . The thing is most of those hospital stays have been because of the progression of the disease not a bug he has caught. There are families that choose to take their kids everywhere but I have never been able to do it . We will take him to places that we will be able to be outside but other than that I can't bring myself to do it. People don't realize how blessed they are to be able to just jump in the car and go at the drop of a hat even if it's just to the grocery store and not think twice about it. Tonight at work this guy that's a new employee happen to mention that his wife was having a baby boy and that it better stay that way. I said" you should just be happy with a healthy baby" then he had the nerve to say" I would take a sick baby boy over a girl" then begins to laugh. Normally, I would have ripped his head off but he didn't know my situation. I was actually proud of myself!

This was on his Blessing day June 1, 2008 the day before being diagnosed.