Ryan....sick

I posted on my other blog recently that Ryan is fighting a bug right now. He is definitely not feeling well and has a pretty decent fever going. I can tell he doesn't feel well and I really want him to be feeling better by his birthday on Friday. Prayers are much appreciated!

The ability to play

I may never be able to express just how grateful I am for each little accomplishment my able-bodied kids are able to do. I can't even express the joy Steve and I feel as parents when we take Jorie and Joshua to the park and they are able to play on the equipment without ANY help from either of us. I watch my two year old son playing with his cars on the floor and I think back to 11 years ago when Ryan was this same age and how little he was able to do. Just playing with his toys was difficult. I remember the guilt I used to feel when I was exhausted with just caring for him and meeting all of his daily needs. And then I also needed to find the energy to help him play! I remember setting up trays of cornmeal for him to drive his little hotwheel cars through. Or when Steve became more involved in our lives, I can remember him modifying many of his toys so that he would be able to play with them too---flashlights, squirt guns, rubik cubes... I can even remember a very excited Ryan one day when we bought him his own can of silly string..only to get the can home and realize he was not able to spray it himself and no matter how hard Steve tried, he was not able to adapt that button so that Ryan could use it. Those are some of the toughest things to see as a parent to see the disappointment in your child's face. He couldn't even squirt a can of silly string! Ryan is no longer very interested in most toys. He will be 14 in just a few days! But, I will never grow tired of watching Jorie and Joshua play effortlessly with anything they choose. And I will always be grateful for each and every ability that Ryan does have. Even if that means just enough movement to play a video game or turn the pages of a book. SMA has forever changed our lives and perspectives.

New play structure!

Last weekend, we got the kids a wooden play structure. It has been something we have wanted for SO long now. But, finally got it! The kids are thrilled. But, boy is it a HUGE project to put together. Steve actually hired one of his employees to put it together this week. He has worked on it for 3 days and it's still not completed yet. The first two days he brought along someone to help him. But, yesterday worked on it alone. Hopefully, it will be ready for the kids to play on this weekend!

Our morning walk

This morning we decided to head out for the butte as we do most mornings. Only this time, since it's such a chore to push TWO boys up hill, we decided to push them around the track at the bottom instead. When we were done, Elliott rode his bike around and Joshua pushed his train. Joshua hasn't quite figured out how to ride his tricycle yet and I'm not sure he's even tall enough to reach the peddals! LOL They had a lot of fun going around the track! And I even got my mom in one of the pictures this time!

For whatever reason, the video did not post! Maybe I'll try again later.

Aaron

Yesterday, Steve traveled to Eugene to deliver some speakers to a customer. On the way, he decided to stop by the camping spot where Aaron spent his final hours here on earth. A place we stop by almost every time we make a trip to Eugene. I don't think I've ever shared video of the spot where he drowned. Lots of pictures, but never video. It's such a beautiful area that it's really hard to believe he died here. But, he did. And I know he's not the least bit sad where he is right now. But, we sure do miss him.

Too precious not to share....

I might get in trouble for this one day... But, I really wanted to share my precious girl's heart. I hadn't even realized she was keeping a little notebook with her thoughts and prayers in it. But found this tonight.

"Dear Jesus, Thak you for this day. Thak you for all thes blesings. Plees help Ryan's scraches and plees help the meeting at the hischool. Plees help Israel's elboe. Amen."

Oh, I just love this little girl so much!!! Isn't she sweet?? Israel is a classmate. He broke his elbow this past weekend.