I don't want to forget....

Keith wrote this article for our church's quarterly newsletter. EK's autism diagnosis was just over 10 years ago and Keith shares a bit of our journey. It looks much prettier on the church website, if you want to view it there. Lifeline Spring 2019 Jesus is described in the Gospel of John as, “the Light of men.” The primary function of light is to expose what is hidden. A night-light, for example, helps us to avoid tripping hazards in our bedroom. Through His omniscience, Jesus exposed the wickedness of the people with whom He interacted. The problem was, most of those people did not appreciate having their sin exposed. In fact, the scripture says that men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Whereas darkness in the Bible almost always symbolizes evil and ignorance, light almost always symbolizes goodness and knowledge. Sometimes, however, God exposes the truth by means that we don’t immediately understand or comprehend as good. Ten years ago, my wife...

We just got back from Florida! Keith had a pastors meeting and I got to tag along to meet some pastors wives. I love meeting other pastors wives. There is an immediate bond, similar to the bond I have with other special needs parents. We get each other. We know how hard things can be and also what a high calling the ministry is. It was great! I met several sweet ladies and had encouraging conversations, including one who has a son with special needs. Double encouragement! We had my parents come with us to keep the kids on Monday and Tuesday.  Then, we headed to Disney Wednesday through Friday. It was a little overwhelming at times because there's so much to see and do and so little time. But overall we had a blast!I think my biggest source of stress was how EK would do. Would she cry? Be anxious because of the crowds? Get upset over loud music during shows? EK LOVED it! She was so happy. It's something we couldn't have done with her a couple years ago. We thank the Lord ...

Labor Day we had a little surprise swim party at Mimi and Pop's for AC and AK. AC turned 11 and AK turned 7. They were both pleasantly surprised. Can't believe my kids are growing up! What a beautiful young lady she is becoming with such a servant's heart. She wakes up early Sunday mornings to go with Keith to the 8am service, goes to her Sunday School class at 9:30 and then volunteers in a preschool room at 11am. She loves it! May she always love serving the Lord by serving others!  These cousins have a lot of fun together!

Oh my goodness! This was such a bittersweet day. I love that she is growing up and turning into a little young lady, but this isn't how I pictured our teen years would be. She is non-verbal, not potty trained, needs help with a lot of things. She can feed herself if it's finger food and can pick up her cup to take a drink from a sippy cup. She doesn't understand danger (hot stove tops, running into the street, walking off, etc. She's basically a toddler in a 11 year old body...I say that since she's so petite. AC passed her over a year ago height-wise. As hard as things are at times, she is such a beautiful girl. Her smile lights up a room and her giggles are priceless. She is content most of the time, unlike her preschool years where she cried A LOT. She loves being around her siblings and remembers people who's been kind to her. She loves riding her pony at therapy. She likes school too. Her teachers are very kind to her and that's very important to us, s...

Love these kids! I used to dread getting a decent picture but it is getting a little easier now that EJ is almost 4. EK is still hit or miss but at least she didn't cry. She is such a beautiful girl that I keep taking pictures until I have a good one of all 4. The other 3 have learned to be patient. :) And I'm not above bribing... EJ (3), AK (7), EK (12) and AC (11)

So, I have neglected this blog for months. I haven't found a way to upload pictures from my phone to this site easily and life is so much busier as the kids get older. People told me it was going to be true but I'm not sure I believed them. Now, I get it. EK is in 6th grade this year and enjoying it. I like her teachers and there are some really sweet friends in her class. She is happy and cared for. My expectations have changed a little over the years. While I would love for her to make progress (and she does a few things there at school that she doesn't do here at home), I know she loves being around friends and having the routine and structure that she has there. It also allows me to homeschool AC and AK. I couldn't do that if EK were home full-time.  AC is halfway through 5th grade! SO hard to believe. She is still taking piano lessons, participating in Bible Drill, GA's and kid's choir at church. She also gets to do Route 56 on Sunday evenings now. ...