Flowers in the Garden...

The flowers were growing in the garden. Each one was lovely in it's own beautiful way. The gardener tenderly nurtured each flower, watering and pruning them every day. The roses were beautiful, vibrant and a deep, rich, red color. The daisies had their own special delight to the gardener as he watched them grow and blossom into delicate treasures.

The gardener especially loved the chrysathemums. How sturdy and independent they seemed as they towered about the other flowers. Their colors sparkled in the sunshine and cheered the gardener's heart each time he looked at them.

And there was the special little flower. The one that didn't grow and fit in with the rest of the garden. And, for some reason, it didn't quite grow the same way as the other flowers. It took quite a bit more care from the gardener as it struggled to fit in. It would grow a little sideways and the gardener would set a stake about it to sturdy its way. Then it would do something special and unique, like struggle to bloom and show it's beautiful colors, very different from the other flowers. It was truly heart warming in its own God-given way.

The gardener would smile and appreciate every aspect of that little flower's life. Oh, how he loved that little flower. He could see it spin and toil day after day and yet it never really measured up to the other flowers in the garden.

Sometimes the gardener would grieve because he had tended to that little flower so diligently, spent even more time with it than the other flowers, yet it never really fit in. (Of course, the little flower never knew that.) Instead it blossomed and grew right along with the other flowers and basked in the Son shine and in the love bestowed upon it by that faithful gardener.

How many mothers and fathers are wasting their days in grief and mourning as they wish for their precious disabled child to be different, to fit in, to have a "normal" life like everyone else. As they tended their "little flower" they can never be truly content because that beautiful creation God has entrusted to them cannot ever be like the other children who laugh and play so freely. Instead of resting in God's plan for their lives and for the life of their little special needs treasure, they spin and toil and struggle to make that sweet child "normal".
They feel pity, they greive over and over again the fact that their child cannot do all the things that the other children do. And it pains them deeply that the other children do not include their child in every activity, every party, every social event. They fail to relish each moment their child is included and instead grow bitter. Can they realize that it isn't God's plan for this "little flower" to be just like the others around them?

They are very beautiful in their own way, a special delicate child created in God's image, to be cherished, nurtured and appreciated. There is no need to strive to make these treasures fit in. Just sit back and enjoy their special beauty and relish each moment of their life as they take a different path than the others. Let them teach us, truly of God's beauty and innocence. Let's honor them, protect them, enjoy them, just as they are!

~Anonynous writer~

Out with the old, In with the new....

It was a sad day for us on Saturday as we watched Old Red get loaded up and hauled away to the junkyard. I hummed the "Taps" song as he left down the driveway. He lived a very full life but at the end he wasn't even able to start. Zachary was a faithful owner who poured way too much money into him trying to revive him but he finally admitted that it was time to put the poor old chap out of his misery. He will be missed!! However, Zachary has purchased a new set of wheels that make this Jeep seem like a Cadillac! BIG, huge difference. Old Red was rough and tough this new Jeep is smooth and sporty. Sean and I both had to take it for a test drive right away. I LOVE it! I am a Jeep girl! In fact, when I was 15 I begged and pleaded for my parents to buy me a Jeep. On the way to the beach my mom and I passed the Jeep of my dreams. So when Sean and my dad came down later that week we told them all about the Jeep and harangued them into going to talk to the owner. Now this wasn't just any Jeep, this was a thing of beauty! It was PINK! That's right, pink. It was a very old CJ-7 with no frills of any sort. Aaah, just perfect except for the price. She wasn't willing to budge at all and my dad wasn't willing to pay a mint for a Jeep that wasn't worth it's salt. So, my dreams were short lived and I cried the whole ways home from the beach. :( But flash forward a bit with me and you will see that my dad did give me my dream...sort of. LOL! He surprised me with an ORANGE jeep. Oh boy how excited I was! I drove that beater all around the Lake where we lived. It needed a muffler and it was LOUD but I LOVED that. Unfortunately, after a couple of weeks things started going amiss. I can't remember all of the problems it had but I do remember that when the brakes gave out my dad got rid of it. So I lived a couple weeks of Jeep bliss. LOL! I could never afford a Jeep on my own so I ended up with a small car but when my boy bought his first Jeep those memories came full circle. I love that Zack is a Jeep guy, a country boy, a chip off the old block. :) Aaah! There's nothing like a Jeep!!

Favorite Uncle....

This is my brother, my neighbor, my kids' favorite uncle, the cookie-giver, and many times has been a listening ear for my vents. He was also the first one I went to sobbing when I received Kyalynn's autistic diagnosis. We are so opposite....he is calm to my "freaking out" nature, he is "green" and I am not, he has an easy laugh and usually always has a smile on his face and I, umm, do not. LOL! I am SO thankful for him! The little's and I usually mosey over to his house at least once a week to check out his garden and to chat. Actually, he was to be in our Blessing Walk photos but he wasn't home so he gets a whole post to himself. :) Although I agitate him and tell him he was switched at birth he and his family are truly a blessing to us in so many ways! We love you Uncle!!!!

Update on Miss G....

This girl is such a riot! Oh my! She loves princesses, the color purple and wants to wear dresses every day. I call her my Drama Girl because EVERYTHING is bigger than life, her happiness, her sadness and her ear-piercing demanding screams.

Her last bloodwork results were in range, at the lowest end of the range, but still, that's better than what they've been so we'll take it. Apparently, the nephrology department (kidney specialist) is getting all her results now too and are very interested in her. :) She actually goes this week to that specialist and then next week she goes to her regular specialist (endocrinologist). I will definately need prayers for these visits as I will be toting all 4 little's with me to these appointments that are about 1 1/2 hours away and aren't very kid friendly places to begin with. Aagh! I just keep reminding myself...I can do ALL things through Christ, I can do ALL things through Christ.....:)

Aargh, Mateys....

I phoned my brother this morning to warn him.... my home was invaded by PIRATES!! But I must say, these pirates were so pickin' cute! Instead of clamping hand and foot irons on them I just wanted to love them to pieces.

Nolan, the captain of the ship....

Connor the friendly....

Miss -I've -got-my-eye-on -you

The meanest, toughest pirate of them all....aka Pirate Sweet Kyalynn...

These pirates were serious about their plunder. They looked high and low for treasure. They finally found it buried in the sandbox. It must have been that treasure map with the big red X on it that alerted them to it's whereabouts. They also pilfered rare jewels and bracelets only found in the best Dollar Stores. Don't worry...I believe their treasure chests are full for now so you don't need to be concerned about them visiting your home any time soon. However, if you happen to see some very small children dressed as above and singing loudly, "We are the pirates that don't do anything...." be afraid, be very afraid. :)

Blessing Walk...

We took a blessing walk today. Our goal was to find things that remind us just how much God loves us. Sometimes we get so bogged down in life that we forget to take time to appreciate all He gives us and to thank Him wholeheartedly. This was our attempt today...to be aware of all of the good things God blesses us with daily and to praise His holy name!

Kyalynn adores our kitties. We have 3 outside cats and it's amazing how they allow her to "love" them and they keep coming back for more. LOL! Firefly the cat is one of Kyalynn's blessings.

I love this picture! Connor being a great big brother by lovingly helping Nolan traverse the rocky path. Oh my! I can't even begin to tell you what this does to my heart.

One of Nolan's blessings...Sierra the cat. He loves to chase her but she's too fast, so far. :)

It didn't take long for me to find my blessings. I'm still astounded that God would entrust Sean and I with these incredibly precious gifts.

A tiny flower hidden amongst the weeds.

Gabriella and her blessing. (The mountain doesn't offer much in the way of flowers so weeds become our flowers. LOL!)

Connor found this beautiful purple weed flower and came running over saying "Look mommy, God made this for me!"

And sweet Kyalynn....she absolutely loves tiny things. She usually has something in her hands and when I asked her what God gave her that shows her how much He loved her she said "baby acorns", and opened her hand. Later she found wild huckleberries too!

May I choose to focus on the blessings that surround me and not become bogged down with life. Help me Lord to keep my eyes focused on you....

Sweet Peace...

My precious friend Tanya and Nolan. He just adored her and felt so safe in her arms he fell right to sleep. This picture speaks to me of God's offer of sweet peace if I just allow myself to crawl up into His lap and relax and let Him control it all.

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1st Peter 5:7