Tabitha

This is sweet Tabitha with one of her big brothers. She is the second child that this family has lost to SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). As I type this post, she is breathing her last breaths on this earth and will soon be united with her big sister, Taleah who passed away in 2004 from the same awful disease. As a mom of a child with the same terminal disease, this hits way too close to home. We have seen our own precious son in grave condition far too many times to count. And each time he is sick, we worry it will be his last. I often find myself asking why? Why do these precious children have to suffer and die? Why do these families have to grieve such a loss? A loss that hopefully most parents will never have to face?? It just seems so unfair. I suppose nothing in this world is fair. We live in a fallen world where children get sick and die. And I just pray that this family feels the love and prayers from people around the world praying for them and their sweet daughter. 

Jorie is TEN!!

Thursday was Jorie's birthday! She is 10!! She has said many times since her birthday that this was the BEST birthday ever. If you know Jorie, you know she is very fond of animals. However, neither Steve or I are really animal people. In fact, other than a few fish, we have not had a pet in our home since Ryan's service dog, Ivy! Jorie has been begging for a pet of her own for so long now. So, we decided she was old enough that she could take care of it herself and surprised her for her birthday with her very own guinea pig! She named her Lauren. She is so sweet. Jorie LOVES her and won't put her down. Just wants to hold her all day. Of course, Josh is enjoying her too and even Ryan likes her. What's nice about her is that she'll just be content to sit in your lap. This is nice for Ryan since he can't reach down to pet a dog or a cat. So, something that sits in his lap is perfect! We enjoyed a nice steak dinner (Jorie's request) and had Grandma and Grandpa over as well as Josh's neighborhood buddies. Jorie had her friend birthday party last summer. So, this was really just family. We do it that way so that all of her friends can attend. When we wait until October, not very many can attend due to illness. This seems to work out better!

Some new earrings and a coloring book from Grandma and Grandpa

Cute stuffed animal from neighbor, Joaquin

Jorie,  Joshua and Joaquin 

New shirt from mom and dad

Another coloring book from mom and dad

Ipod from mom and dad!!!

Best surprise of all? A new guinea pig!

Having dinner with the neighborhood kids :)

Where is my fly swatter when I need it?!

Jorie's birthday was on Thursday and her dinner of choice was steak!!  I thought that was kind of a funny choice for a little girl. But, it was her birthday so we BBQ'd steak! In the process of  BBQing, some very annoying flies entered our home. I thought we were done with flies. But, I suppose a couple of warmer days brings them back out again. They have been hard to get rid of surprisingly. It didn't help that I couldn't find my fly swatter until yesterday! But, yesterday morning Ryan came into the kitchen complaining that the flies were bothering him while he was trying to eat his breakfast! Ryan is unable to swat the flies away making this even more annoying for him. So, I did my best to shoo them away. It reminded me again just how much we take for granted in this life. Just the ability to shoo a bug away!! And how strange it is that Winter means no more flies but it brings with it even more dangerous bugs!! So, while the flies are VERY annoying!! I will take them ANY day over a serious VIRAL bug for Ryan!

Update

Me and Ryan enjoying some sun

Josh working on his homework

The kids before school this morning

We enjoyed a nice weekend at home. Jorie had a soccer game on Saturday. Steve took her this time as I had to stay at home with Ryan. Anything lower than about 60 degrees is just too cold for him. It was so nice that Steve was able to go as he has missed most of her games this season. I will be doing my best to get through this week with healthy kids as my helper (my mom) is out of town for the week! My parents left for Georgia yesterday and are heading home today with a new wheelchair van. They flew there and will be driving the new van home! They will enjoy a nice drive back, stopping by my aunt and uncle's on the way home. My aunt will be happy to see her sister. She struggles with Alzheimers but still knows my mom. It's always a nice break for my uncle as well as he is her primary caregiver.