Hello busy, cough, cold, flu, RSV, pneumonia, bronchitis season. Geez! I think we've already seen it all this year. In the past 3 days I have worked really hard to making some people feel a lot better. Whew! It can be totally exhausting. And then rewarding as well.
Last night....I met a woman who has...15 children (all by the same mother & father) 6 boys & 9 girls over a 20 year span and non of them were twins. She has 41 grandchildren, 63 great grandchildren, and 18 great great grand children. Also....there is NO divorce in their family. They have well over 200 family members and they are truly one big happy family. To hear their story was incredible.
Can you imagine the legacy this woman is leaving. There is a reason that she had around the clock care....not from us...but from her children. Amazing!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Emotional side of life
Sometimes you just don't know how to handle the emotional side of things in life. You're up, then down. It can be a roller coaster...but watch out....you've never seen anyone like me hang on for the wild ride! I'm a strong woman. I can take on even more than I think! This year is already proving to be interesting for me, and that's okay. One thing my life will never be is.....boring! Love it!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Clueless Wonder....really?????
Today I found out that a child that I work directly with, and could have a signifigant impact on, has AS.
Our sermon Sunday spoke about having these clueless wonder moments, and I sat there and wondered if I had ever had any....until today.
God puts people in your path that you would least expect. Not only did he put a child in my path, but he put one in my path that I actually know how to relate to.
What's even more exciting....I can't wait until Ian gets home to relate this information to him. If Ian loves anything more, it's kids who are are just like him. He knows what their mind is going through and wants to learn to help them. He's come so far and I think back to all those times that I just wanted it all to end because I didn't think I could handle it. Now...today...not only can I handle it, I have an opportunity to help others who may deal with the same thing.
I am so thankful right now that I have had to endure the hardship of having a child with AS for 16 years....and I'm thankful for those who stuck it out with me and loved him in spite of all his little quirks! What this looks like from this side of it is so heavenly, compared to where we have been.
Last week, I prayed for patience in a totally different situation. I think for 16 years, God has been grooming me to have the most incredible amount of patience. Just, who knew, it would be through one of my children.
Our sermon Sunday spoke about having these clueless wonder moments, and I sat there and wondered if I had ever had any....until today.
God puts people in your path that you would least expect. Not only did he put a child in my path, but he put one in my path that I actually know how to relate to.
What's even more exciting....I can't wait until Ian gets home to relate this information to him. If Ian loves anything more, it's kids who are are just like him. He knows what their mind is going through and wants to learn to help them. He's come so far and I think back to all those times that I just wanted it all to end because I didn't think I could handle it. Now...today...not only can I handle it, I have an opportunity to help others who may deal with the same thing.
I am so thankful right now that I have had to endure the hardship of having a child with AS for 16 years....and I'm thankful for those who stuck it out with me and loved him in spite of all his little quirks! What this looks like from this side of it is so heavenly, compared to where we have been.
Last week, I prayed for patience in a totally different situation. I think for 16 years, God has been grooming me to have the most incredible amount of patience. Just, who knew, it would be through one of my children.
Friday, January 06, 2012
It's gonna be a good year to give....
One of the things I really liked about this past Christmas was our ability to give. But not just me and Chad, the kids too. We focused this year on less presents for us, more giving to others. Even if they didn't "need" it. We did it because we wanted to, and because we love them. Then we gave to those that did "need" it.
I've always grown up with a ton of presents around the tree. It was so exciting on Christmas morning to wake up and see tons of gifts. We kept that tradition going as our kids were younger. But not in 2011. This past year, they each only had 1 gift to open under the tree. It was the gift they wanted the most. What they had been asking for. The smiles were not any smaller. In fact, the words "We actually got what we wanted" was very nice to hear.
The usual unwrapping of the gifts went fairly fast of course and then we moved onto the grandparents and then onto help with Project Tulsa in giving to the homeless. By far, that was my most favorite part of this year. Blessing those that truly need blessed all year round.
As the new year has begun, we aren't even barely through the first week and my kids are already asking about giving to someone else. I've watched them grow through their own selfish desires to putting others first in their lives. It's so cool to see how they have transformed. They are becoming little adults who think about the good will of others over themselves.
I can't take credit for their change in attitudes. I can only give God the glory for giving me such wonderful children in my life.
I've always grown up with a ton of presents around the tree. It was so exciting on Christmas morning to wake up and see tons of gifts. We kept that tradition going as our kids were younger. But not in 2011. This past year, they each only had 1 gift to open under the tree. It was the gift they wanted the most. What they had been asking for. The smiles were not any smaller. In fact, the words "We actually got what we wanted" was very nice to hear.
The usual unwrapping of the gifts went fairly fast of course and then we moved onto the grandparents and then onto help with Project Tulsa in giving to the homeless. By far, that was my most favorite part of this year. Blessing those that truly need blessed all year round.
As the new year has begun, we aren't even barely through the first week and my kids are already asking about giving to someone else. I've watched them grow through their own selfish desires to putting others first in their lives. It's so cool to see how they have transformed. They are becoming little adults who think about the good will of others over themselves.
I can't take credit for their change in attitudes. I can only give God the glory for giving me such wonderful children in my life.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Decorate
After being in our home for almost 3 years, I'm excited at the thought of finally decorating and making it a home. For so long I felt like it was just 4 walls that we just placed some furniture in. Now, it's finally going to feel warm and inviting to come to. Each month we will take on a room. January = The Master Bedroom. I like starting with this room because during the day, it seems to be where I spend most of my time. If I'm not sleeping here, I'm on the computer in here, or reading in here. I'm excited to create a space where I want to come and relax. Sleeping during the day has always been a problem because my room is so bright. By painting the walls a darker color and adding pretty brown blackout curtains, it's sure to make it a place to sleep soundly. (If I can only convince the dog to not bark right outside my window!)
It may not be the home we will be in forever, but it needs to feel like a cozy, warm, and inviting place to come to. Not for just visitors, but for us too.
I'm excited to try my hand at decorating.
It may not be the home we will be in forever, but it needs to feel like a cozy, warm, and inviting place to come to. Not for just visitors, but for us too.
I'm excited to try my hand at decorating.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
New Year, New Things 2012
2012 will be a year of exploring new things and ideas for us. I'm excited for the journey. Not really sure where it will lead. I get emotional just thinking about it. Emotions can be weird because you don't know if that's just fear, or if that's really your heart diving right into it. I like to think it's my heart...that is scared to death. 2012 doesn't need to be a year of missed opportunities. If we don't try, we will never know. If we don't explore, we may never see what could really be there for us. Again...SCARY!
I want the year to be one of looking back and having no regrets. I want to be comfortable, with the uncomfortable. We are are a journey, and for once in our lives, we are taking it slow. Not rushing....not anxious....just calm.
I don't want to live a life of "What if...". I want to live a life of "I tried..." and then see where it takes me.
2011 had some good moments and bad moments. We made new friends, new relationships, and are not looking back at those moments that hurt us. We are excited to move on and live the life that was intended for us. Some may never agree. Some may question. All I can say is.....I wanted to to try.....
Guess I'll have to see where the story ends up myself. I have no idea! That's really exciting to me!
I want the year to be one of looking back and having no regrets. I want to be comfortable, with the uncomfortable. We are are a journey, and for once in our lives, we are taking it slow. Not rushing....not anxious....just calm.
I don't want to live a life of "What if...". I want to live a life of "I tried..." and then see where it takes me.
2011 had some good moments and bad moments. We made new friends, new relationships, and are not looking back at those moments that hurt us. We are excited to move on and live the life that was intended for us. Some may never agree. Some may question. All I can say is.....I wanted to to try.....
Guess I'll have to see where the story ends up myself. I have no idea! That's really exciting to me!
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