I don't want to forget....

I am so thankful to live in the USA! I am grateful for the sacrifice that so many men and women have made throughout the years, so that I can experience freedom- freedom that I sometimes take for granted. I don't understand the amount of selflessness that our military have to do service for their country, but consider it a blessing. Lord, help me be more thankful for the freedom I experience right now...knowing that we may not always have it. We enjoyed being with family today. This morning Keith and I took the girls to the playground. Even though it was pretty warm, the girls had a great time. It was so nice to have another set of hands there! :) Normally, I'm outnumbered! AC made a couple friends there and EK is getting better on the playground equipment! Tonight we went to my parents for dinner. We had chicken spiedies (a nice touch from our hometown in upstate NY), along with lots of yummy sides and strawberry shortcake for dessert. EK behaved really well! She lasted 2 1/2 ...

I cannot believe that this school year is almost over. I remember a year ago when I was so stressed that the district was moving EK to a new school. I had grown to love her 3 teachers at PGE and was sad to take her somewhere new. I'm so glad that God is sovereign and in control of all the details that I can't be in control of. When I found out who her teacher would be at ERE, I was elated. I already knew Ms. Sharla from church and I knew she was an incredible teacher. One of her teachers from PGE moved to ERE b/c it's the school her daughter attends. I felt such a peace going into this school year. I knew it'd be hard for EK because anything new is difficult, but I truly felt like the Lord's hand was on all of it. It has been a great year! Sometimes it doesn't seem like much was accomplished. I have learned that ANY accomplishment, no matter how small it seems, is an accomplishment. EK's learning scale will probably always be different from AC, but it doesn...

As I mentioned last week, I had a feeling our Friday appointment for a family picture wasn't going to go so well. My mama instincts were right. Upon entering the room, EK had a meltdown. I guess the lights, camera, and strange man in the room bothered her. She was upset in all 3 pictures. AC had a poker face in the first 2. (She tends to be shy at first.) As part of the process, each family recieved a free 8x10 for participating in the church directory. I told them "No thank you." Who wants a visual reminder of how traumatic it was for EK? I also told them we'd submit our own photo. I knew anything would be an improvement. :) On Sunday, we asked my mom and sister to take a couple pictures after church. I was hoping the girls would cooperate. It went much better! We'll use one of these. Still not perfect, but my sweet EK is happy. That's how I want others to see her!

I've heard this term in the past year or so since the economy has been down. People are staying around home for vacations rather than going somewhere to save money. As much as I'd LOVE to get away and go somewhere fun, it's just not easy with EK. She doesn't enjoy herself and it's hard to have fun when she's upset. Keith decided a couple weeks ago that he would take this week off. He rarely takes time off(although he's getting better at it as the girls get bigger). He even took Sunday off. Since we weren't going anywhere, I totally assumed he was preaching on Sunday morning. It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that I found out that he wasn't. Funny how two people can be on different pages, huh? It just didn't come up. Anyway, I think he's really enjoying his time off. He has been working on some things around the house and relaxing. Those of you married to a pastor or those who are pastor's kids know how hard they work. He truly deserv...

Yesterday was our first afternoon at the Brent Woodall Foundation. EK had therapy from 1-3pm. I think I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I heard of BWF through my friend Amber. Her son goes there 3 times a week right now too. We met them in the parking lot yesterday and walked in together. A little boy from EK's preschool also attends there. EK smiled when she saw him. I think it helped her to see some familiar faces when we got there, I know it calmed my anxiety. :) The therapist that worked with EK yesterday has about 10 years experience, so I figured she could handle EK. I took EK back to the room she was going to work in and left. Might sound mean, but I wanted her interact with the therapist and not get comfortable with me being back there. She was pretty sad at first. No surprise there! After a while, I didn't hear her protests. Amber checked back at 2:30 and said she was sitting at the table working. When I peeked in the window at 2:55, I found her happy as well. She wa...

Our church hosted a Family Conference this past weekend. I was able to go with Keith on Friday evening, thanks to my wonderful sister! ;) Dennis Jernigan led us in worship and John Trent spoke. Then there were break-out sessions on marriage and family topics. My mom gave me a book written by John Trent called "Bedtime Blessings" for Mother's Day. There are 100 bedtime stories and activities for blessing your child. I'm really eager to use it and thought I'd pass it along, in case you're looking for something to use with your child. I know sometimes it's easy to get in a routine. I always pray with AC and EK before bed, but this book will give some new ideas of things to pray for...some things that are basic, but I often overlook. I'd love to hear some other ideas of what you do/use at bedtime for your kids. :)

Happy Mother's Day to a great mom! I am so grateful that my parents and siblings live close by. I know not every family is blessed in that way. It's a joy to be able to spend time together on days like today. Thank you Lord for a mother who invested (and continues to invest) so much time and love in our lives. We appreciate and love you! :) Happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law Jo too! I am truly blessed to have such a kind and loving woman in my life. You did a great job raising my husband! We appreciate and love you! Wish we were able to spend today with you!

AC learned how to turn my camera on months ago. She thinks it's fun to walk around the house and take pictures. I'll find 20+ random pictures later, like the carpet, the ceiling fan, etc. :) When we were outside playing today, she wanted to take pictures of EK. I tried to explain how to look for EK on the camera screen BEFORE taking the picture. Mind you, taking a picture of EK is no easy feat. She doesn't pose or even pause for the camera. Sometimes she even runs away. You have to follow her around to get a good shot and I always have to take several before there's one decent one. Thank goodness for digital cameras that let you look at the picture before paying to print it!! Today she got a couple decent ones for a 2 year old. Think she has a future in photography??

Today is a BEAUTIFUL day in Texas. Seriously, it's sunny and mid-70's. Perfect!!! This past week we've had some days that reached 90 degrees and it's hard for me to adjust. Guess my yankee roots are still there. ;) Here are a couple pictures of the girls playing in the backyard. EK LOVES to be outside! I'm sure you can tell my the pictures. She'd stay out for hours, if I'd let her. AC has lots of fun too. We don't have many things to do in the backyard, so today AC took her baby and baby stroller outside.

A quick update...we got there early! Yeah for good directions and no bad traffic! :) We drove around until right before 9am. When we got there, they took us back to a room immediately. I hadn't planned to go back b/c I thought EK would do better without me there. But it all happened so quickly and she was already crying, so I went. EK was very upset, of course. Something I totally expected. She settled down within 15 minutes. EK didn't really work. She did a few things for me: potato head, ring stacker, and shape sorter. Most of the evaluation was based on my answers to questions. The founder of the center came in about an hour and a half into the evaluation and of course, EK lost it again. Within 10 minutes, she was calm and happy again. She was smiling and looking at both ladies, and periodically making noises (her way of communicating). Before we left, we walked around the center to see how it's set up. We were done at 11:15. Because they weren't able to assess much ...

After calling a couple places about ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy, I decided to go with a place over in Irving called Brent Woodall Foundation. A good friend of mine takes her son there and has raved about it from the beginning. Last week, EK had a new friend join her class and the mom mentioned that he's doing ABA therapy at BWF too. I felt like that was even more confirmation from the Lord. On Friday morning I'll take EK for her evaluation, to help them know how to create a program for her. She'll be there from 9-12. I know she's going to have lots of anxiety and will cry, but I'm hoping she'll work through the crying. I want them to see some of the things she's capable of. Sure, I could tell them what I've seen her do, but I think it'd make me feel better if she shows them. If you think of it, please lift up EK on Friday morning, that God's peace would surround her and that she'd be willing to work for the therapist. You can pra...

I haven't written an update to my bad day a week ago. I don't want you to think I'm still that discouraged. Last Friday night, Keith and I attended a dinner at church. The speakers spoke on evangelism and how we(christians)should be sharing the gospel every time we have opportunity. It was really convicting and truly reminded me of the most important: eternal things. Yes, I'd had a bad day the day before (and I'm sure I'll have more), but this life is temporary. I want my life to honor God and I want others to know how great my God is. Continue to pray for EK and that I'll have the grace to handle what comes along each day. Our church has a monthly newsletter and each time, Keith writes a note of encouragement. Below is what he wrote this month. Melissa and I sat holding hands in a small examination room of the developmental pediatrician that had been recommended to us. Four months earlier, we had become concerned that our oldest daughter, Emma Kate, was hav...