Thanks

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. I Chronicles 16:34


Thanksgiving Day has come and gone and I did alot of thinking about all that I am thankful for. This list could go on and on and on and on..........


I am thankful for my Lord Jesus Christ. That He chose me as His child long, long ago!


I am thankful for my salvation. That Christ came and walked this earth to pay the price for my sin. Salvation is something I do not deserve, but has been given to me from a Father who loves me unconditionally. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23


I am thankful for my amazing husband. He is my best friend, my support, my provider, and an amazing father to our children. I am ashamed to say that it has taken me many, many years to really see just how amazing he is. I think as a wife it takes a certain level of maturity to get past ourselves and our selfishness and see our husbands as the Godly men they are trying so hard to be. I am so fortunate that God blessed me with a husband who wants to serve the Lord and live a life of integrity in all he says and does. He understands that he will have to one day stand with me before the Lord and take responsibity for us. This is not a responsibility I would want! I love watching the faces of our children absolutely light up when he walks through the door and says hello. There are few things in this world to match this pure joy. They know daddy loves them, and will always take care of them. I know this feeling.


I am thankful for my children. I am thankful for every diagnosis, doctor appointement, therapy session, and piece of medical equipement that has come our way. I know that every obsticle we face only serves to make us stronger and helps to build our testimony. I am thankful for the smiles that are beautiful beyond description. The bright eyes that sparkle with wonder and excitement. The littel hands, some steady and some not, that are so soft and have the ability to communicate needs. I am thankful for every little squeal that comes from their mouths. My heart melts every time I hear "ah la ya ya ya" which translates to "I love you mommy".

I am thankful for my family. My mom and (step) dad are amazing, generous people. At this moment, I have no direct family living anywhere near me. I am dependent on my in-laws and friends to give me a sense of family. I have been able to develop several close friendships and these wonderful women are sisters to me. Not by blood but from the heart. This part of my family is so special to me because there is a closeness that we have chosen and developed, not simply because of our last name. I am so thankful the God has surrounded me with love.

I look around at my home, the pantry in my kitchen, my closet, my cars in the garage, the living room floor covered with toys and I am filled with gratitude and thanksgiving that God has gone above and beyond my family's basic needs.

I am thankful to live in a country that allows me to practice my religious beliefs free of persecution.

I deserve none of this. I am so thankful for God's love, grace, and forgiveness. It is easy to see His love everywhere I look in my blessed life. And I am thankful.

Just do it!

“OMG. 2 special needs children! How do you do it? I don’t think I could.”

I hear this comment more than I care to think about. My quick answer is simply, “I just do it.” There is no other choice. I do not have the time or energy for a pity party. I KNOW that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philipians 4:13. I look at the beautiful faces of my beautiful children, and I thank God for bringing them into my life just as they are.

Not long after we got Tony’s CP diagnosis my mom sent me a poem she came across in the newspaper. I cry every time I read it.

Heaven’s Very Special Child
A meeting was held far from Earth
It was time again for another birth.
Said the angel’s to the Lord above-
“This special child will need much love.
“Her progress may be very slow
“Accomplishments she may not show.
“And she’ll require extra care
“From the folks she meets down there.
“She may not run or laugh or play
“Her thoughts may seem quite far away
“So many times she will be labeled
“’different,’ ‘helpless’ and ‘disabled.’
“So, let’s be careful where she’s sent
“We want her life to be content.
“Please, Lord, find the parents who
“Will do a special job for you.
“They will not realize right away
“The leading role they are to play.
“But with this child sent from above
“Comes stronger faith and richer love.
“And soon they’ll know the privilege given
“In caring for their gift from heaven.
“Their precious charge, so meek and mild
“Is heaven’s very special child.”
~Edna Massimilla

I am humbled on a daily basis that the Lord chose me and my husband for these special boys, and priceless girl. Many times I don’t understand why, but He did and I am only too happy to serve Him in this way. I look at my children, see their struggles and their triumphs, and I can do nothing but praise my heavenly Father!

1st time

I have had it on my heart for some time now to start this blog, but never sat down to make it a reality. I am the type of person who has to have a clear picture in my mind of the finished product before I will even start. The purpose of this blog? To express to myself, and whoever else may be reading, my thoughts on motherhood, most noteably to 2 special needs little boys.

I am the proud mother of 3 absolutely beautiful children. Tony is my oldest and he is 4, almost 5. He has Cerebral Palsy. I also have twins that just turned 1, James and Jeanie. James has Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. Jeanie is typical.

Where do I start?

GOD

I believe in a merciful, loving God. I trust that God loves me beyond my earthly comprehension. I have unwavering faith in God's word, the Bible. It is through these pages and versus that I learn just how much God loves me. It is from this perspective that I will share my thoughts.

You always hear people say that God never gives us more than we can handle. In this process God also reveals that we are much stronger than we ever thought. Did I ever picture myself with 2 special needs children? Do any of us? Simply, no.

I know that God has a plan for my life, and for Tony, James, and Jeanie. Who am I to question God's plan for us? I have never looked at my circumstance and cried out, "Why, God, why?" There has never seemed to be a need for this. If I love God, and trust Him with every detail of my life, why would I question this part? Would I have chosen this path for myself? I really can't answer that question. Would I change a moment of my life with these children or change who they are? Not a chance!!!!!!! Being their mommy has drawn me closer to God than I have ever been. I have really had to lean on Him, and trust Him in ways I never could have imagined.

I think about the future and wonder what it will hold for my children...
~Will Tony ever talk? Will I ever hear him say "I love you, mommy"?
~What type of life will James have? How long will he walk? How long will I have him with me on this earth?
~Will Jeanie ever understand why God has chosen this path for her brothers, and find her own path to make a difference in this world?

Obviously, I have no way of knowing the answers to these questions. But I do know that God does. And when He is ready to reveal an answer to me, I will be ready. I trust Him.