Full of Joy

Walking into a room of people is not something I enjoy, especially when I’m alone. To combat my nervousness, when I had money during my single years, I would almost always stop for a coffee or bring my own tumbler from home. I liked having something to hold onto, and something to sip, which made me feel like I was doing something. Now that I’m married with a family, we don’t tend to spend much money on luxuries like coffee (other than our own morning brew, of course). I’ve had to learn to enter a room full of people all by myself. Last year, at this exact time, I found myself in that scenario. There was a big event going on in Fusion (the high school youth group we work with at our church), and I brought the kids with me. They were 1 and 5 months old at the time. Basye had JUST gotten her helmet, so it was the first public place I had taken her.   Her first scan. All results were sent to Boston Children's Hospital. (The helmets are technically called The Boston Band.) ...

Chuck took Jase on a special outing, so Basye girl and I are hanging out together. We love our girl time! She's a happy thing, and we are thankful! THANK YOU all so much for your prayers for her during her surgery, and now during her recovery. A friend of mine's daughter had this same surgery three times, and she shared how the recovery was always tough. She was right. Baby girl does not like her drops or ointment, and that stresses this Mama out. The way Basye's eyes are, it LOOKS like she's in a lot of pain, but she is acting happy and sweet as ever. She slept through the night the last two nights, although she woke up at 6am today. Poor Papa (my hero!)- his morning started early. We've been asked a few questions about Basye, and thought we'd answer some of those in case anyone else is wondering. To learn about the kind of surgery she had, you can check out this link: http://www.pedseye.com/strabismus_surgery.htm 1 in 3 children have to have the procedure...

She just loves strutting around in her pink boots! I often wonder why my baby girl has had so much happen to her little physical body her first year of life? I don't really need an answer, it's just something I wonder. I've spent a lot of time worrying over her, pretty much since she arrived and had to be whisked away from me in the hospital so as not to catch the flu from her own Mama. It boggles my mind when I consider how many things have come up since then that we've had to face head-on for her. It's easy to get choked up thinking about facing another huge, physical obstacle for her first thing tomorrow morning. Thankfulness reigns in my heart as she has absolutely no fear or anxiety heading into surgery because she's a baby. She has no fears because she doesn't know what's coming. A lot of times I think the anticipation is the worst part of situations like these. I can't wait until her surgery is over, and she's well on her way to reco...

Today marks the 11th day in a row of a viral apocalypse in our house. (Blast that church nursery.) It started with Basye, then moved to Jase, then they both got new symptoms, then it hit me- hard. Chuck ended up having to take time off work to care for all of us, then my Mom came down to lend a much-needed hand. Thank God for both of them, or I'm convinced I would not be surviving. I still feel completely lousy, and the kids continue to deal with lingering symptoms, as well. It feels like we will never be healthy again. ELEVEN STRAIGHT DAYS! Moving on. Chuck took Basye to several appointments on Friday. We are thrilled, and over-joyed to announce our Pweshy is officially graduated out of her helmet! That was a VERY unexpected surprise. Thank you Jesus! He gives the greatest gifts just when we need them! Her beautiful, ROUND little head! She's pretty excited to finally be FREE!  The day after Basye was freed from her helmet, Chuck took her ...

My precious sweetheart. My baby girl. Happy FIRST birthday to you. This past weekend I did my usual Walmart run, very well aware I didn't need to buy you formula anymore. I was so excited to be able to save money by switching to milk I didn't stop to think about it too much. But as I was walking the baby aisle, it occurred to me how there is a sadness in my heart at you moving on from formula. You are leaving infancy and heading into the toddler world. You are already loving life as a toddler. You started walking at ten months old. Our adventure girl! Climbing on any furniture you can reach, crawling behind any furniture you can fit behind, and standing on any arm of a couch you can get yourself onto sets your Mama's heart racing. You are fearless, child. When I think of how to describe you, "pure sweetness" is what always comes to mind. You are absolute sugar. Your laugh sends joy to my soul. Your smile melts my heart into a thousand pieces. You've...