The Greatest Day Ever!

So, if you live under a rock, then you may not know that Monday, May 23, was the first annual Will Saunders Day at Wild River Country, a local water park. This was a gift from our church to Will (and us of course) so that he could enjoy the water park and we could enjoy him. You see, as part of Angelman Syndrome, Will has a fascination with and love for water. I mean it too! If he sees water, he's in it. You name it, and he's played in it - the sink, the bath tub, the toilet, the dog bowl, the water hose, a puddle, a cup with water in it, and even the deep end of a pool (that was scary!). So when our church said, we love you enough to give your son something he'll love, we were elated! Okay, maybe that's not exactly what they said, but that's what I heard. Anyway, I want to show you some pictures from our day. There was a "real" photographer there, and when I get his pictures, I'll share them too. But, for now you're stuck with our amateur photography. 

Posing in front of the Will Saunders Day sign (I'm covering the "S" at the end of Saunders)

She was ready to swim!

His lips were blue and his teeth were chattering, but he was not getting out of the water.

I'm pretty sure he could have stood there all day and played in that little toy.

Her parents were in tears and said "Thank you. We never thought we'd be able to bring our daughter to a water park. This was amazing!"

Me and Will with Blythe and her mom, Donna. Blythe also has Angelman Syndrome, and her mother had never met another child with it. It was pretty neat getting to meet them.

To say the least, the day was amazing. I don't think I can really put into words what it meant to us to get this opportunity. But you know me, I'll try! We never thought we'd be able to take Will to Wild River Country. We knew he'd love it, but we would be way too stressed out trying to keep up with him and prevent him from getting lost, kidnapped, or drowning. This day allowed us to be "normal." We got to see our son do something he loves and something that "normal" kids get to do all the time. We've heard story after story from other families who felt the same way. We love our children, and wouldn't change them for the world, but I think deep down, every parent wants to get to do this type of thing with their child. 
First Assembly North Little Rock is a church that, as my mom says, puts feet to their faith. Their motto is "Every soul matters to God" and when they do things like this, they prove that they mean it. To anyone who participated in organizing, setting up, working, or attending Will Saunders Day, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for loving our son, and my family, so much. Thank you for loving other families too so that they could enjoy this day. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot wait for next year!

I Have a Plan for You!

Anyone who grew up in or around church probably knows the bible verse "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11. Sunday morning in our current sermon series "Post-It Notes from God," Pastor Rod put this verse in context. You see, it's usually quoted alone, without the background information, to encourage someone who may be having a hard time or not sure what the next step in life is going to be. When you learn about what was going on when Jeremiah sent this mighty word to the Israelites, it means so much more. God sent this word to his people after they had screwed up royally. They had disobeyed God's instructions, and were suffering the consequences. Even in their sin and disobedience, God said (my paraphrasing), "I still have plans for you. Even after you ignored what I said, I still have plans for you. And they are great plans. Plans to take care of you and protect you." Personally, I think that's pretty amazing. 
Even though I've never done anything the world would consider major sin or really bad, I, like everyone on this earth, have sinned and unfortunately disobeyed the Lord. Anyone who said they have never sinned or disobeyed is lying (which is a sin!). Anyway, I find it comforting that no matter how much I screw up, He's still there and still has a wonderful plan for me. His plan isn't quite how I pictured it would be. Isn't that usually how it goes? We plan this awesome things we're going to do as we grow up - what job we'll have, who we'll marry, where we'll live, what our kids will be like. It's not until we deny ourselves and listen to God that we realize the mighty plan He has for us. I was always going to be a doctor. It's the only thing I've ever said I want to be. But, I was NEVER going to be a pediatrician. I was going to be an orthopedic surgeon. Then I was going to be an OB/GYN. It wasn't until I was able to ignore my plans and focus on His that I realized the plan He had for me. And yes, for anyone who may not realize it, I am a pediatrician. In fact, I'm in fellowship now to become a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. I certainly never planned on having a child with a disability, but God knew what He was doing when He gave us Will. Why do we question if God knows what He's doing? We always seem so surprised, and say, "I guess God knew what He was doing." Duh! Of course He does...He's God! Anyway...
One more example of God's plan and the incredible faith it takes to follow it is the story of my best friend Jessi George and her family. They recently picked up and moved from Mississippi to Papua New Guinea to be tribal missionaries with New Tribes Missions. This has been their dream for six years now, and yesterday, they realized that dream. They are now in their temporary home there and are loving it. Many of us, even me at times, thought "They're crazy! Taking those three little girls (ages 9 months, 3 years, and 5 years) all the way around the world to live in a mud hut. What are they thinking?" But we're the crazy ones. Following God's plan may seem crazy to some, but if you don't follow His plan, that's when I'd question your sanity! This family has demonstrated unwavering faith despite many worldly setbacks, and now has been rewarded with the desires of their heart. 
Just think, following the Lord, living for Him and in His word daily, will allow you to see the unbelievable plan He has for you too! No matter what you've done, where you've been, or who you are, God has a plan for you. Never doubt that. You're NEVER too far gone for the Lord to bring you back. Just read Jeremiah chapter 29, and you'll see how far the Lord can bring you.

Gonna Make You Stronger

I'm totally over this whole knee surgery thing! I'm tired of hurting. Tired of being limited in what I can do. Tired of hobbling around. I'm ready to be better and get back to my life. I'm not used to sitting around with my leg propped up while I ask other people to get things and do things for me. Frankly, I hate this. It's been three weeks now, and I am getting better. But, I still hurt. And the hurting is the thing that seems to limit me the most. I'm doing well with my rehab and bending and straightening my leg. It's getting stronger everyday, and my therapist says I'm right where I should be. But...I still hurt.
The other night I had a break down and threw myself quite the little pity party. Why me? That is the dumbest question ever. (By the way, if you want more answers to that question, come to First Assembly NLR on Easter Sunday.) I don't even know why I ask it. As if leg surgery was the worst thing in the world that could ever happen to me. All I have to do is turn on the TV and I'll see people who are suffering so much more than I ever have. Earthquakes and tsunamis. Tornadoes. Women killing themselves and their children. I mean, really, knee surgery? "Get over it!" I told myself.
"You will get better. It just takes time." I'm really tired of hearing this, and I think it's because this is the hard part for me. I am not a patient person by nature. I have to pray for patience on a daily basis. I also have to remember that God tells us we should consider it pure joy when we face trials. It's hard to think of knee surgery as pure joy, but if it develops my perseverance, character, etc. then I should be joyful about that. 
The morning after my glorious pity party, I got in my car to drive to work and was listening to K-LOVE. (I love that station! You guys should check it out.) A song by Mandisa titled "Stronger" came on. What a wake-up call! It was exactly what I needed to hear. So, I thought I'd post the lyrics because I have a sneaking suspicion that one of you may need to hear them too.
                        
                           Hey, heard you were up all night
                           Thinking about how your world ain't right
                           And you wonder if things will ever get better
                           And you're asking why is it always raining on you
                           When all you want is just a little good news
                           Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather
                         
                           Oh, don't hang your head. It's gonna end
                           God's right there, even it it's hard to see him
                           I promise you that He still cares

                           When the waves are taking you under

                           Hold on just a little bit longer
                           He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
                           The pain ain't gonna last forever
                           And things can only get better
                           Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger

                           Try and do the best you can
                           Hold on and let Him hold your hand
                           And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
                           Oh, lift your head, it's gonna end
                           God's right there, even when you just can't feel Him
                           I promise you that He still cares

                           'Cause if He started this work in you life
                           He will be faithful to complete it
                           If only you believe it
                           He knows how much it hurts
                           And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

                           When the waves are taking you under
                           Hold on just a little bit longer
                           He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
                           The pain ain't gonna last forever
                           And things can only get better
                           Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger
                          
                          

Sometimes All You Can Do Is Laugh

So, like most of you, my life is pretty stressful. I am a wife. I am a mother of two young children. I am a first year developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellow. I am a part-time Sunday school teacher in the special needs youth class. Oh yeah, and I'm a pretty rockin' blogger. 
Well, you know that expression, "When it rains, it pours" ? That's my life right now. As I've mentioned before, I had reconstructive knee surgery almost two weeks ago. The injury was much worse than the MRI showed, and the surgery was more extensive than originally planned. Because of that, my recovery is going more slowly than I'd hoped. I'm hurting all the time and getting very frustrated. I had a breakdown last night, which was lovely by the way. I'm just so stinking tired of not being able to do the things I normally do. I'm tired of having to have things done for me. I'm tired of hurting. I'm tired of it all. 
And, as I've mentioned a million times, I have a child with special needs. He is the most amazing little boy and the light of my life. He is also the cause of much stress and frustration. He can't help most of it, and I have to remind myself of that everyday. I know he is on this earth for a reason, and I hope I'm around to see what that is. Well, he did one of those frustrating things the other night. While we were sitting in the den, all hanging out, he calmly walked up to the TV and wacked it with his sippy cup. I'm sure you can guess what came next. The screen cracked and went black. We are now the proud owners of a 42 inch flat panel wall-mounted radio. Did you know that make flat panel TV screen protectors? Me either. Sure wish I did before this happened. Needless to say, we have one on it's way to put over our new TV. 
There are a thousand other things that I could write about that cause stress in my life, but it would be like beating a dead horse. If any of you have money troubles, job problems, health problems, sick kids, marital difficulties, depression, anger, or whatever, then you know what I'm talking about. The biggest issue with all of these things, in my opinion, is how we choose to react to them. We can do like I did the other night, and have a breakdown and cry....or we can choose to laugh. If you're life is as stressful as mine and you choose to breakdown and cry every time something bad or stressful happens, you'll spend your entire life in tears. That's why I always say, sometimes all you can do is laugh. Turning to those you love in times like this can be a lifesaver. Turning to the one who loves you more than anyone or anything else will save your life. The Lord knows what you're going through. He knows the stress, the pain, the anger, the guilt, the whatever it is. So, when you're in the middle of it, choose to laugh. 
"As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands."  - Psalm 119:143

Ode to Catiebug

I love my little Catiebug! I feel like she sometimes gets the short end of the stick because of all of her brother's needs. She is an angel...rotten, but an angel, and I want you all to know how absolutely wonderful she is. I write all the time about Will, and he derserves it. He's awesome. But Cate is awesome too, and I want to give her the praise she is due. 
Cate will be 4 next month, and cannot wait for her birthday. She is having a princess tea party with her friends. They'll get to dress up in princess dresses, get their make-up done, have their hair done, and have their nails painted. Then they'll have a tea party and eat cake. I think I'm as excited as she is about this party. It's her first "real" party. She tells us daily she wants a pink princess bike for her birthday, and I'm pretty sure she's going to get one. (Thanks Gran and Papa!) 
Princesses are all that exist in her world at this moment. She is the girliest girl in the whole world! She loves pink and purple, hair bows, dresses, tutus, dress up, baby dolls, and did I mention she loves princesses? Her favorite is Snow White, but she has recently developed quite a fascination with Jasmine. We go around the house singing "A Whole New World" and driving her daddy crazy. 
Cate is in mother's day out at our church two days a week right now and will start a full-day pre-K program at Abundant Life School in the fall. She's very excited that she'll get to go to school everyday like her big brother. We're excited because we're hoping that Jeremiah will be able to work while the kids are in school. She can count to 15, knows all her colors, knows many of her letters, know all her shapes, and is pretty brilliant if I do say so myself. 
Cate is a wonderful daughter and an amazing sister. She helps her brother when he can't do something. She sticks up for him and tries to teach him things. She plays so well with him, and doesn't seem to care that he's not like her friends' brothers and sisters. She can be a little bossy and "mother" him, but I think she means well. I hope that as she gets older that she continues to love her brother as much as she does now and treats him as sweetly as she does now. 
I'm so very proud of the little girl she is becoming, and I wanted you all to know how wonderful she is too. And of course, I have to post some pictures....enjoy!

 

Blessings Just Keep on Comin'

Like I said in my last post, I'm not going to focus on the bad stuff in my life or worry about the stuff I have no control over. What's the point in that? It doesn't do anything but put me in a bad mood. It certainly doesn't change the situation. So, I thought I'd take time to count a few more blessings I've had over the last week or two.
First, a little over a week ago Will was invited to his very first birthday party. I was such a proud mama when his mother asked me if Will could come. Are you kidding (I thought)?!?! Of course he can come! We lived in Tulsa for seven years, and during the entire time Will was alive, he was not invited to one party (other than those at The Little Light House). I know some people don't know how to respond when he does some of his "Will things" or are scared he may get hurt, but he's still a little boy, and it makes me so sad to see him watching other kids doing things he can't do. It almost seems like he knows he can't do them but he still wants to, so he just stands in the background watching. Well, since we've moved to Little Rock, things have been different. In case I haven't mentioned it, WE LOVE OUR CHURCH!!! The people there have gone out of their way to make us feel loved and welcomed, and that includes Will. So - back to the story - we went to the birthday party at Jump Zone. Will loves to jump and does so every Sunday at church, so I knew he'd like it. The only thing I was worried about was the number of kids there and if he'd get too overwhelmed. Well, he didn't! He did great! He jumped and jumped and jumped (and he only sat on one baby!). It was so fun to watch him do something that all the other kids his age get to do. And, the kids at the party were so sweet to him. Several of them also go to his school and came up to him and said, "Hi Will!" Then they'd tell me, "He goes to my school." Anyway, the party was a huge success. He had a great time, and so did I. Feeling like my son is wanted is a huge blessing. 
Then, the following day, Jeremiah and I tried to go to Winter Jam. We had some terrific friends agree to come over and watch the kids, so we didn't have to pay for a sitter. They brought their kids, and they played with Will and Cate. All the kids had a wonderful time together. Winter Jam was sold out, so we went to dinner and a movie. It was our first date since August of last year. It was so nice to spend time together, just us. It was even nicer that we didn't have to pay for a babysitter. I look forward to repaying the favor so that our friends can enjoy some time together too. 
One last blessing - while I was out of town at a conference for work, Will's school had family fine arts night. His teacher informed me that he would be singing one of the songs with the regular class. I thought to myself, I know he is doing great and that his vocabulary is exploding, but have you met him? There's no way he can get up there and sing with his class. Boy was I wrong! He stood up there like a "big boy" and did motions and said "yeah yeah" when all the other kids said it. I paid $9.95 to get internet access at the hotel just so I could watch the video, and boy was it worth every penny! Most parents probably take things like that for granted, but this was Will's very first performance of any type, and he did so well. I am one proud mama! 
Each week at church I learn something very useful to me and am trying to put the lessons I learn into practice. So, hopefully the only thing you'll read in these posts is uplifting and encouraging. I hope you enjoy my little stories. I also hope you enjoy these pictures of my little blessings posted below.

Count Your Blessings

Have you ever had one of those days? I'm sure we've all had a million of them, but today is NOT one of those days for me! I woke up with perfect hair - a miracle if I've ever seen one! What's the big deal you may ask? Well, this good hair day allowed me to have half an hour of "me time" this morning that I usually do not get (because I usually spend that time doing my hair). I am convinced and determined that this is the start of a great day. To make today even better, I get to go to church tonight. I know I've talked a lot about our church here in North Little Rock, but I truly cannot say enough good things about it and the awesome people of God who go there. Anyway, back to the point...
Lately there have been so many terrible things going on all around the world - riots, natural disasters, civil war, a crappy economy, and government unrest. It would be so easy to just focus on that and worry. Well, as most of you know, I'm a worrier. It's genetic. My mother is a worrier, and her mother was a worrier. I've been told by my dear sweet husband, whom I love with all my heart, that I am my mother, that my mother is my grandmother, and I guess by default that makes me my grandmother. (By the way, I take that as a compliment!) Earlier in the year I wrote about being a giant killer and how my personal giant is worry. I've really been trying not to worry and to put things in God's hands. What's the point in worrying? It doesn't change a single thing. The Bible even says so in Matthew 6: 27: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" 
So instead of worrying today, I am going to count my blessings. I'm not going to list every single blessing in this blog posting because I'd be here all day (and unfortunately, I have to go to work), but I do want to list a few blessings. These blessings are especially important to me because they are things I thought I'd never have. You see, we never thought our little Will would be able to do half of what he can do today, especially talk. And while he can't talk like a normal 6-year-old little boy, he can say more than I ever imagined he'd be able to. I want you all to know what a miracle the Lord is performing in my angel's life and praise God with me for these blessings. So, without further adieu, 
Will's Words: 1. Juice (his first word, spoken at around 2 years 6 months)
                        2. Cookie
                        3. Please
                        4. Thank you
                        5. Uh-oh
                        6. Book
                        7. Baby
                        8. Mama (my favorite! spoken for the first time on Mother's Day 2010)
                        9. Papa (my dad's favorite!)
                        10. Backpack
                        11. Piggy (his word for his toes...you know, "this little piggy went to market")
                        12. No (my least favorite of his new words)
                        13. Yeah
He even has a few phrases now. They're not perfect but they are understandable to most people, especially those who are around him a lot. They include: "Where are you?"  "What's this?"  and my very favorite "I love you!" Will's syndrome means that he'll always have delayed language and probably not ever have very many words. Most kids with it never talk at all. From what I've read even the highest functioning kids only get somewhere around 50 words max.
So, these 13 words and 3 phrases are 16 of the biggest blessings in my life. I hope that you can quit worrying about all the badness going on around you (or even in your personal life), and take the time to count your blessings. I bet you'll have more than you ever imagined!