An update

Ellery did great today. She's a little sore but took full advantage of the doctor's order of unlimited popsicles.
Thanks for your prayers. We should hear something next week although the doctor reassured me today that he thinks all will be okay. (Hmmmm...never heard that before.)

I kept this thought on repeat today. I will love Him above everything else...and trust Him no matter what happens.

A prayer please

If you think about it, could you please say a prayer for us today? Ellery has had a lump (for lack of a better term) on the roof of her mouth for awhile now. We waited to see if it would go away on it's own but it hasn't, and the dentist and oral surgeon agree it needs to be biopsied. So, today at 11:30 she will have the procedure.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little concerned especially when my mind runs wild with all the possibilities or that my stomach hasn't felt upside down since I woke up this morning.
Praying for the peace of the Lord as we face another mystery diagnosis.
Thanks, friends.

Street is ONE!

Dear Street,

You are ONE!

You are such a blessing to us little one. You charm us with your grin and make us laugh at the funny things you do or try to say. You are such a character and it is exciting to watch your big personality unfold.

You haven't stopped moving since day one. You are in constant motion! You don't crawl much at all anymore and your walking gets faster with each passing day. Your vocabulary continues to expand and you make your mama laugh when you try and say words such as "diaper" or "agua".

You love to grab your shoes when you can tell we are headed out the door and are devastated if the trip doesn't include you. You give great kisses and love to clap, especially when I am praising your big brother. Speaking of big brother, you already love to be with him and play side by side. You think your big sister is pretty special too. You are happiest when they are home.

If you go missing during the day, I can usually find you in the pantry signing "eat". You eat so much! You eat just about anything, but your favorites are broccoli and fruit.

Perhaps my favorite thing about you is the way you shower me with love. You are constantly searching for me in a room full of people, you love to stay close when you have just woken up or in the morning when I get you out of bed, and you love to pat me on the back and cup my face in your hands to command my full attention.

We can't imagine life without you. We are thankful for your one year, Street!

{birthday pictures to follow!}

Thankful Friday

I'm thankful for an easy casting appointment yesterday with Price. We are thankful for the fact that he is finally ready for some AFO's (ankle foot orthotics) to help him with his standing.

I'm also thankful for this little Blue's Clues book he is holding that brings him so much joy. It has already been duct-taped several times in an attempt to save it. Nathan and I really think Price said "blue" yesterday at the appointment. It was so clear, but when we asked him to say it again, he just smiled. I was a little ticked with the thought of his first word being "blue", but how could I be nothing but thankful for a first word?

Most importantly, I am thankful for a Savior whose plans prevail. And I look forward to the day I see how all the puzzle pieces have come together for His glory.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

Beauty

I rarely blog this much in a week. But, kids are in bed, lunches are packed, Nathan is at a movie with the boys, and I am waiting on some hard-boiled eggs to finish up on the stove.

I was pointed by John Knight to an article by Elizabeth Elliot. It's such a great article that speaks to the heart of disability and is written in part by Judy Squier, who was born without legs. Here are a few of the standouts for me.

Judy writes, "...A birth defect by God's grace does not rob childhood of its wonder, nor is a child burdened by high expectations. Given a supportive, creative, and loving family, I know personally that I enjoyed not a less-than-average life nor an average life, but as I've told many, my life has been not ordinary but extraordinary."

She goes on to say, "I am convinced without a doubt that a loving Heavenly Father oversees the creative miracles in the inner sanctum of each mother's womb {Psalm 139}, and that in His sovereignty there are no accidents."

And this is my favorite...."What we judge to be tragic - the most dreaded thing that could happen, I expect we'll one day see as awesome reason for the beauty and uniqueness of our life and family."

Green Machines

Can I play too, coach?

Dad helped out with drills

More pictures to come from Team Green Machine. It was the cutest thing! Ellery loved being on a team with her friends MadiKate and Ella. (Her coach, Coach Hendee, was actually my sister's soccer coach when she was little and played for a season.) The girl doesn't know a thing about soccer, but she caught on and gave it her all. I asked her if she had a good time, and her reply was, "I got pretty sweaty." That's our girl.

PT is hard work