Blessings In Disquise

I saw this video on another blog today. The lyrics were powerful so I thought I would share it here....

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

Lyrics from Laura Story's, "Blessings

Laura explains the story behind this song here.

Pics from the Dells

A few weeks ago we went the the Wisconsin Dells with Mark's family. We had a great time catching up with family, eating junk food, playing games, swimming, playing in the arcade, going on walks...the list could go on.  Charlie loved the water park and every day he wore himself out swimming and going down water slides.

Ruby liked swimming too, but she wore out easily from all the activity. I am so glad we decided to take our babysitter, Emily, along. She was able to take Ruby back to the room whenever she got tired. That way Ruby got the down time that she needed and we could still stay at the water park and let Charlie enjoy the pool. If you have a special needs kiddo, I think it is crucial to find someone else who can care for your child besides you and your spouse.  It is not cheap, but it has been life changing for us to have Emily around. She knows Ruby well and I feel very comfortable leaving Ruby for long periods of time under Emily's care.  Having this kid of respite care has allowed me to spend quality time with Charlie and Tabatha; we can do things Charlie will enjoy without worrying that Ruby won't be able to handle it.  Also, while Ruby is with Emily, she is getting the one on one attention and therapy that she needs and I am not the one giving it to her!  Having a great caregiver has given us some freedom back. It allows us to do some more "normal" things and it helps us better meet the needs of ALL of our kids.  

Here are a few pictures from our vacation in Wisconsin.  I noticed that I am not in a single picture! I promise I was there but I guess I was the one always taking the pictures. I will have to hand the camera to Mark a little more often....

Tabby chilling in the hotel

Charlie and his cousin Max stacking the checkers outside of Cracker Barrel

My three kiddos-- trying to get a picture with all of them looking is impossible!

Lazy mornings in Mom and Dad's bed

Sleeping in her stroller---This is what Tabatha did most of the day

Mark and Charlie playing in one of the many kiddie pools

Emily swimming with Ruby. It was great to have Emily around to help with the kids.

Ruby and Dad

Mark catching up with his dad

The boy cousins playing cars

Mark with Charlie and his parents in the arcade. Charlie loved the racing game.

Mark and Charlie bowling in the arcade.

Cousin Jade holding Tabby

Charlie loving on his little sister

Mark and Ruby hanging out before going to the pool

Ruby swimming with her neck ring on. This looks uncomfortable, but she doesn't seem to mind it and it
gives her limbs some freedom in the water.

Charlie on a one of the many kiddie water slides

What a great trip!

Whirlwind Week

Whew...what a week! School started this week and on top of being at school all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I attended a music conference on Thursday. Throw in a couple of worship services, a chapel and three kids at home and it was a busy week!

Although it was a little crazy, I did feel very blessed to be back at school. I love my kids, but I also love teaching and I am so glad that God has provided a way for me to teach two days a week and be at home with my kids the other five.  I especially love teaching at Zeeland Christian; it is such a great place. I felt God's presence there as we kicked of the school year.  I am excited for my kids to be at ZCS in the next couple of years.

I am thankful for the holiday weekend and I am looking forward to some quality family time.

Newborn Pictures

We had Tabatha's pictures taken when she was five days old. I didn't do newborn pictures like this with Charlie because there was too much medical stuff going on with him and with Ruby when he was born. This time around I wanted to capture Tabatha while she was still so "new". I am glad I did because I am thrilled with how they turned out! She slept through the whole session which made it pretty easy. Julie Hofman took the pictures and I am really pleased with her work. We did Charlie's two year session with her as well. She does great work and she is affordable! Check her out at youbyjulie.com if you are interested.

Making birth announcements sounds like a lot of work and so I doubt it will happen. If you were expecting one, consider this your announcement :) (Don't worry Grandmas...I have some pics for you :)

Choosing Joy

I have several blog posts swirling around in my head, but I feel like I haven't had the time to sit down and type them out. Ruby has been on summer break from school for the last week so having her home full time with Charlie and Tabby makes me plenty busy. I hope once the routine of school starts up again I will be able to get back at my blog. It really is therapeutic for me to write down my thoughts and connect with other families in similar situations so I miss it when I can't find the time.

Anyways, until then, a blogging friend sent me this article that I wanted to share. This family's story inspires me and reminds me how our lives are full of unexpected twists and turns. Thankfully, we have a heavenly Father who walks with us every step of the way and gives us the feet to walk the path He has laid out for us.

I will never fully understand why He allows Ruby to be the way she is, but I have decided to trust Him. All I can do is control my attitude about our situation....so I choose joy. This doesn't always come easy; this family's story was a great reminder. Check it out here.

Seven years ago I told my 8th grade class that my favorite quote was, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you make of it." Back then I had no idea how true or how hard this would be.

Psalm 25:4- Show my your ways O Lord, teach my Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in You all day long.

Vacation

Just a quick post to say I am still here! Last week we were on vacation with Mark's family at the Wisconsin Dells. We had a fabulous time hanging out with his two brothers and their families and his parents. There were 9 adults and 8 kids (5 under 4 years old) so it was crazy, but we had so much fun together. I have pictures to post soon.

Reality hits this week as the school year is just around the corner. I am hoping to spend some significant time this week lesson planning and getting my room prepped for the year.

Ruby has oral "surgery" on Thursday. Because of all of her meds and how she eats, she has several cavities behind her front teeth that need to be repaired under general anesthesia. I am a little nervous about it just because her seizures make things a little complicated, but hopefully all will go very smoothly.

More to come...

Seeing Ruby

I just got some photos from Ruby's birthday lunch back in May. I LOVE these photos! I feel like they allow people to get a glimpse of the real Ruby. The smile she has on her face melts my heart. So often I feel people don't see who Ruby really is. When someone talks to her in public she doesn't always respond, especially if we are in a place that is loud or unfamiliar. After trying to talk to Ruby, people may walk away thinking she doesn't have much personality or thinking she doesn't respond at all. This is just not the case! When Ruby is in a comfortable setting or around people she knows well, she is very responsive. She makes a lot of noise, she smiles and giggles. She kicks her legs and sometimes even squeals with delight She always has ways of letting us know what she wants and when she is not happy. She LOVES attention of any kind; she loves it when people talk to her, sing to her, tickle, kiss, or hug her. She especially loves rough housing, like when her Daddy throws her up in the air. Ruby is a joy and even though you might have to dig a little harder to see it, she has a lot of personality!

Here are a few photos that show a little bit of the real Ruby....