To say this week has been interesting is a huge under statement!!  Courtney has mono and missed all week of school as well as all of her softball games this week.  She is currently recovering well and should be at school on Tuesday.  For Ayden this has been a very good week.  He went back to school this week and had a very big surprise on Friday.  All of the students in his class were able to ride a Big Yellow School Bus.  They ware so excited. The teacehrs did not tell them until it was time to go.  For show and tell that day Ayden took some of his Thomas the Trains to school to show a way of transportation.  We have continued to work on not just knowing the president but knowing facts about each, he is simply amazing.  On Friday we received an email from the Greensburg 4th of July committee and they have selected Ayden to serve as Grand Marshall!!! How cool is that.  We truly do serve an amazing GOD and I feel that he is using Ayden toreach as many people as possible.  Now it is our job to let everyone know that Ayden is doing so well becasue we believe that GOD has laid his healing hands on Ayden and we are blessed beyond belief.  We must continue to give GOD all the honor the praise and the glory. That day will be so much fun I cannot wait to see Ayden riding in the convertible throwing candy to all the little kids. 
On Saturday the boys took Papaw John to go see the 3 stooges.  Ayden loved watching the 3 stooges tv show and papaw John got Ayden a DVD set a couple of years ago and he has also recorded all the episodes.  We decided to take Papaw to see the movie.  Much to my surprise it was very funny.  Ayden's favorite part was when Moe hit Ronnie from Jersey Shore in the head with a microwave.  I do believe that everyone of us had at least 1 laugh out loud moment.  what a great day at the movies. 
I recently got an email from a very close friend of mine Perry Hunter.  Perry is a teacher and former basketball coach at Henryville High School.  Perry has been so instrumental in helping the people of Henryville try to put their lives back together after the recent tornadoes.  Perry is a true ambassador to Gods word and has touched many lives in following the path that GOD has laid out for him.  He recently wrote a blog about Ayden and is promoting the benefit.  I want to give a very big thank you and a heart felt show of appreciation to my close friend Perry.  If you have not please take the time to pray for the people of Henryville, Holton, Marysville and all that have been effected by the tornoado.  Here is the link to Perry's story on Ayden and please follow his blog. 
http://coachperryhunter.blogspot.com/2012/04/aydens-army.html
As you can see things have been pretty exciting for our family and as we approach upon the benefit the stress is beginning to mount.  I know that GOD has it all under control and that everything little thing is goona be al

Thanks for the opportunity to update the progress of MY HERO!!! In a world where you cannot escape the antics of people like "Metta World Peace" and others that many of us and our youth claim to be heros it is so satisfying to look into the beautiful blue eyes of my 4 year old and know that I can and always will be proud of my hero.

Ayden is doing very well, he is back at school today for only the 4th time since Feb 7th. He was so excited to go back. He gets to see his little girl friend Lillianna, don't tell him I told you he will get embarrassed. All points indicate that he is doing very well and getting back to full strength. He will not go back to TEE ball practice until next week , as long as weather permits. We are just glad that he is doing better. He is still not sleeping well but...

A quick update on Ayden's Benefit we have secured a FRAMED AUTOGRAPHED PEYTON MANNING COLTS JERSEY AND A SIGNED COLTS HELMET!!

Also have a signed basketball by Michigan St Coach Tom Izzo and an IU pic signed by Danfe Fife. Many other items pleae che

Trying to get to Assembly Hall tomorrow to get ball signed from team but Oakley has a baseball game. Thanks for the prayers and support!!

I want to share with you a moment that I will have etched in my mind forever, but to fully understand the whole picture I would like to share a few stories first.  My 13 year old son Oakley is an amazing young man, one that has made his mother and I so proud.  he is a very gifted athlete, an A student but more importantly a good hearted Christian young man.  Oakley has played travel baseball for several years and our summers are consumed with it. This year our doctors told us that Ayden would be able to play tee ball, for most would not seem like a big deal. When Oakley was his age he was all over the field getting every ball never once did he need the Tee he could hit live pitching very well. For Ayden it will be a whole different experience, that fact that he is on a team is amazing.  In October of 2010 the doctors at Clevland Clinic told us that Ayden probably would not make it to see his 3rd birthday.  Recently we learned that his body will not allow him to play competitive sports in the future so tha fact that he is playing tee ball is truly a blessing and something that we will not take for granted. I have had the opportunity to Coach both Oakley and Courtney in many sports.  Coaching brings so much joy to my life.  I feel blessed to have been able to coach both of them as well as coaching high school sports for 15 years.  I was so happy when ayden asked me to coach his team.  Here is where the amazing part about Oakley comes in.  Travel baseball takes a lot of time and we are away fromhome a lot.  Ayden does not go to many of the games, they play early in the morning, sometimes far away sometimes to wet, or too cold, or too hot for him.  Mom usually stays with Ayden and I go with Oakley.  Knowing that Ayden really wanted to play tee ball Oakley sacrificed his travel ball experience so that I can coach Ayden.  Talk about a caring young man.  This act make us more proud than any accomplishment on the field or court.  Ayden has been upset lately becasue he has been sick and not been able to practice.  He has been in the house for 10 days and could not wait to get out.  Last night we decided since the weather was nice and he had practice we allowed him to go for a while and meet his teammates and participate some.  It was so inspiring to see him out there in his little uniform and having so much fun.  His attention span is very short and he gets distracted by things around him but I truly had a moment being able to coach him.  In 15 years of coaching I have had some pretty special memories but none can top the one I felt last night.  We have cut down the nets as sectional champs, gone to the wire in a regional game and losing to eventual state champion, we have won numerous baseball and softball tourneys, I have been a part of no hitters by high school players and by Oakley, I have been on the bench for Courtneys first Varsity points in basketball and first hit in softball, I have been on the sideline when Oakley scored his first touchdown at Batesville when he was 6, but seeing the look on Ayden's face when he said, "Coach daddy look at me, if right there with all of them.  It was not a game winning shot or a home run, not a championship, not even a basehit or turning two it was a simple smile and Ayden calling me coach!! We do not know what the future has in store, we do not know how much baseball Ayden will play but for this day I could not be any prouder of my All Stars.  I am so blessed to have 3 children that mean the world to me. Oakley and Courtney have made so many sacrifices to ensure that Ayden has everything that he needs and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Life is GOOD.  Never ever forget that. Take those things that make seem small and treasure them.

OVer the weekend Ayden began to get a runny nose but we did not think much of it because of the change in weather.  We did not let him stay long at Court's Sweet 16 party becasue we did not want to wear him out.  About one hour into the party he asked to go home, he said, "Daddy I'm so tired."  On Sunday THe easter Bunny came but we did not go to sunrise service to let him sleep in.  He still seemed tired but nothing else.  On Tuesday night he started coughing just a little nothing bad but the runny nose was still present.  Becky took him to the doctor on Wed to  check him for possible sinus and ear infection and both came back normal but when they listened to his breathing there was some crackling in the left lung.  The chest x ray did confirm that he has pneumonia again.  We have amped up his breathing treatments, the vest, and he is on an antibiotic.  Please continue to pray for him.  We do not know yet if it is bacterial or viral.  He went back to school for the first time last  week since Valentines Day and now is sick again.  He was so upset that he could not go to his first tee ball practice.  We should know more in the next few days.  Please just pray for him, we are scared because respiratory failure is the number casue fo death for kids with Ayden's disease.  To have it again so quickly is very scary.  We do not know if it is just his immune system beaing weaker, bad luck, or his disease playing part of it.  Once again stress level is on hgih alert.  We will keep you posted.  thanks in adva

Ayden has received a very nice honor.  THe newly founded website devoted to Indiana Hoosier Basketball, Hoosier Sports NAtion, has selected Ayden tobe their mascot.  A great gesture made by Ken, that was supported by the board.  We know that HSN is behind Ayden and his fight all the way.  Thank you and GOD Bless aall of you.  Here is the link to the page.
http://www.hoosiersportsnation.com/index.php?/topic/501-announcing-hoosier-sports-nations-official-site-mascot/

Current Items for Silent Auction
Autographed Brad Stevens Basketball
Autographed John Calipari Pic
Autographed Matt Painter Pic
Autographed Mark Richt Pic
Autographed Kurt Warner Super Bowl Pic
Autographed Tim Tebow pic (2)
Numerous oil change
Numerous Tanning and hair packages
Rounds of Golf(Otter Creek)
Indianapolis Indians Tix(2 sets of 4)
Louisville Bats Tix( 2 sets of 4)
Paul George Autographed Basketball
Numerous Restaurant Gift Cert
Donald Brown Autographed Pic

We are having a benefit for Ayden on 5/12/12 at St Mary's in North Vernon. Spaghetti Dinner 3-6 and Dance from 7-11. Silent auction will begin at 3pm. Check back for a list of items. Many autographed items including pic signed by National Champion Coach John Calipari. Lots of great items. here is flyer for the event
AYDEN SHANE BILLINGSLEY

BENEFIT SPAGHETTI DINNER

AND DANCE

WHEN: SATURDAY MAY 12, 2012

Time: Dinner 3-6 PM (freewill offering)

Dance/Concert 7-11 PM( $5)

Location: ST. Mary’s North Vernon

In 2010 Ayden Shane Billingsley was diagnosed with a life threatening illness DNA Depletion Syndrome which is a form of a mitochondrial disease.
JOIN US FOR A FUN FILLED DAY TO HELP THE BILLINGSLEY FAMILY WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES AND TRAVEL EXPENSES TO GET AYDEN TO HIS DOCTORS IN ATLANTA

THERE WILL ALSO BE A SILENT AUCTION THAT WILL BEGIN AT 3PM. DOOR PRIZES WILL ALSO BE GIVEN WAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY

 “All things are possible through Christ who gives me strength”

      -Phil 4:13

www.aydenbillingsley.weebly.com

Contact Shane Billingsley

(812) 593-5453


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