No, seriously...I can't speak. I have completely lost my voice. What a strange feeling to open your mouth, form a word and nothing comes out except the occassional squeak. Annoying!
The girls don't know what to think. But Lil Bug keeps telling me to "speak louder, mommy!" Apparently the whispers aren't working for her either.
Of course, today I am supposed to teach but how does one lecture without a voice? My students will be thrilled! :) I emailed in to the school to let them know that I couldn't call in.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
"God told me it was time to walk, so I got up and walked."
I am still working on figuring out just what to write about this, but wanted to get it out there sooner rather than later if for no other reason than to use this blog as a diary of sorts. Since I don't write anything down anywhere else, this serves as my memory.
Ever since Lil Bug was born I have always sensed there is something different, something special about her. I know that all people feel that way about their children and to be honest, I am not sure if what I feel is the same as all other parents or not.
From the moment she was born I knew she was blessed by God. I also knew we were blessed by God to have her.
She has always had a hunger to know more about Jesus. Since she was old enough to talk, she would pray. She begs to hear stories from the Bible and we have read through it already once in her short life and we are working on going through it again.
She knows things that I wouldn't expect a child her age to know...things about Jesus, things from the Bible. She listens very well and remembers all the little details. It is almost eery what she can recall.
One day my friend was over with her son and daughter. Her son, L, has several brain damage and is unable to sit up, talk, eat (he has a feeding tube), etc. Lil Bug said to my friend, "when I get older I will be able to hold L up all by myself and then you can have a little break. My friend said, "hopefully by the time you are big enough, L will be able to sit up on his own." Lil Bug responded, "YES! That would be a miracle and would be wonderful. Lets pray to God now and he can answer our prayers." So Lil Bug laid her hands on L and prayed. My friend got tears in her eyes and thanked Lil Bug for caring enough to stop her play to pray for her good friend, L. My friend was babysitting as I was at work and missed this entire encounter but from what my friend told me, it was very sweet. Lil Bug didn't think anything of it.
Lil Bug often talks about playing with Jesus. She says, "When I die and go to Heaven Jesus will play with me. We will have so much fun." She is never scared of death and talks about Heaven as if she already knows what to expect. She has even mentioned 'her' angels in the past.
The other day I was dropping Lil Bug off to school and as we were getting out of the care I realized that both she and I forgot to put her glasses on before we walked out the door. I told her teacher I would be right back with her glasses and ran home to get them. When I returned Bugs physical therapist was working with another student near the front door. She said she wanted to talk to me about the things she has been working with Bug on. She ran through some things, some concerns, etc. Then she said, "I asked Bug why she decided to start walking a couple of weeks ago. She was very confident in her answer, which was, 'God told me it was time to walk, so I got up and walked.' and I said, who am I to argue with God?" :)
I know without a shadow of a doubt that God speaks directly to people. I know this. I don't question it. However, for Bug to be hearing God that clearly for some reason just blows my mind. I know she has a special relationship with her Maker. I know that she loves her God. I am so thankful for this. I really, truly am. I just hope that I never mess up her innocence, her beliefs. I want her to hold onto that relationship so tight and never let go. I don't want my imperfections as her mom to intervene with her perfect God.
Being a parent is an awesome responsibility, but I feel the responsibility on The Designer and I to not screw her up is HUGE.
I'm such a lucky mom!
Ever since Lil Bug was born I have always sensed there is something different, something special about her. I know that all people feel that way about their children and to be honest, I am not sure if what I feel is the same as all other parents or not.
From the moment she was born I knew she was blessed by God. I also knew we were blessed by God to have her.
She has always had a hunger to know more about Jesus. Since she was old enough to talk, she would pray. She begs to hear stories from the Bible and we have read through it already once in her short life and we are working on going through it again.
She knows things that I wouldn't expect a child her age to know...things about Jesus, things from the Bible. She listens very well and remembers all the little details. It is almost eery what she can recall.
One day my friend was over with her son and daughter. Her son, L, has several brain damage and is unable to sit up, talk, eat (he has a feeding tube), etc. Lil Bug said to my friend, "when I get older I will be able to hold L up all by myself and then you can have a little break. My friend said, "hopefully by the time you are big enough, L will be able to sit up on his own." Lil Bug responded, "YES! That would be a miracle and would be wonderful. Lets pray to God now and he can answer our prayers." So Lil Bug laid her hands on L and prayed. My friend got tears in her eyes and thanked Lil Bug for caring enough to stop her play to pray for her good friend, L. My friend was babysitting as I was at work and missed this entire encounter but from what my friend told me, it was very sweet. Lil Bug didn't think anything of it.
Lil Bug often talks about playing with Jesus. She says, "When I die and go to Heaven Jesus will play with me. We will have so much fun." She is never scared of death and talks about Heaven as if she already knows what to expect. She has even mentioned 'her' angels in the past.
The other day I was dropping Lil Bug off to school and as we were getting out of the care I realized that both she and I forgot to put her glasses on before we walked out the door. I told her teacher I would be right back with her glasses and ran home to get them. When I returned Bugs physical therapist was working with another student near the front door. She said she wanted to talk to me about the things she has been working with Bug on. She ran through some things, some concerns, etc. Then she said, "I asked Bug why she decided to start walking a couple of weeks ago. She was very confident in her answer, which was, 'God told me it was time to walk, so I got up and walked.' and I said, who am I to argue with God?" :)
I know without a shadow of a doubt that God speaks directly to people. I know this. I don't question it. However, for Bug to be hearing God that clearly for some reason just blows my mind. I know she has a special relationship with her Maker. I know that she loves her God. I am so thankful for this. I really, truly am. I just hope that I never mess up her innocence, her beliefs. I want her to hold onto that relationship so tight and never let go. I don't want my imperfections as her mom to intervene with her perfect God.
Being a parent is an awesome responsibility, but I feel the responsibility on The Designer and I to not screw her up is HUGE.
I'm such a lucky mom!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Lil Bug & Jesus
I have a post I am trying to formulate about Lil Bugs relationship with God. For some reason it is hard to put to words. When I figure out just how to say what I want to say, I will share.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Baby talk
Lil Princess is finding her voice over the past couple of days. She says the normal "momma," "dadda," "done," etc. She signs milk, please, more and eat. But today she started to actually try to use real words.
We had just arrived home after dropping Bug off to school and as I was unbuckeling Princess from her seat I said, "Time to get baby out of the car." So, for the next couple of hours she wandered around the house saying, "baby...babeeee...baaaabeeee!." Then, the dog came into the room and she suddenly switched do saying, "dogeeeeeeee!" Which was quickly followed by some hugs and kisses for the pooch.
Just before bed I asked her if she wanted to call N. She said N's name, clear as day! It was so cute. So we called N and said goodnight. N sang her a song while she snuggled into my arms. So sweet!
Oh, and she started saying "NO!" today too...now that word is going to get old real fast!!!
We had just arrived home after dropping Bug off to school and as I was unbuckeling Princess from her seat I said, "Time to get baby out of the car." So, for the next couple of hours she wandered around the house saying, "baby...babeeee...baaaabeeee!." Then, the dog came into the room and she suddenly switched do saying, "dogeeeeeeee!" Which was quickly followed by some hugs and kisses for the pooch.
Just before bed I asked her if she wanted to call N. She said N's name, clear as day! It was so cute. So we called N and said goodnight. N sang her a song while she snuggled into my arms. So sweet!
Oh, and she started saying "NO!" today too...now that word is going to get old real fast!!!
costumes
The girls are going to be bugs...ladybugs to be specific. The costumes are in the mail...I can't wait for them to get here! They will be so cute!!! Of course, photos will follow.
I didn't expect them to be "matching" but Lil Bug really wanted her sissy to be the same as her. I figure this is probably the one and only year they will both think it is cool to be the same thing so why not let 'em, right?
We don't even go trick-or-treating. We will go to Boo at the Zoo next week and on Oct. 31 we will go to harvest festival at our church, which happens to have a ton of fun games and several tons of candy to hand out to all the little ones. Lil Bug will get to wear her costume to school for a little party there.
I didn't expect them to be "matching" but Lil Bug really wanted her sissy to be the same as her. I figure this is probably the one and only year they will both think it is cool to be the same thing so why not let 'em, right?
We don't even go trick-or-treating. We will go to Boo at the Zoo next week and on Oct. 31 we will go to harvest festival at our church, which happens to have a ton of fun games and several tons of candy to hand out to all the little ones. Lil Bug will get to wear her costume to school for a little party there.
Sick again...or still?
I'm not sure which. I thought we were all healthy again for about 2 minutes and than BAM! Lil Princess and I have symptoms again. What the heck?!?! Oh well, it is just a cold, but still...how annoying?!?! The Designer and Lil Bug seem better for now at least. Yay!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Another plug for STARS
Dear friends and family!
I am writing to you this morning to tell you that The Designer, Lil Bug, Lil Princess and I (along with some wonderful friends and family) are joining together to form Team Gracie at the 2nd annual STARS (Seeking Techniques Advancing Research in Shunts) walk-a-thon. The walk is on Saturday, Oct. 25th at 10am and it walks along the Grand Haven boardwalk (keep your fingers crossed that it isn't freezing cold and blowy like it was last year!).
As you probably know, Lil Bug received a shunt when she was just 2 days old. The shunt serves the purpose of regulating the fluid that surrounds her brain. Without the shunt, she would have likely died. Even though the shunt has served its purpose, we have already had to have one surgery to "fix" it as it was not working properly. When Lil Bug has a revision, it is not something to be taken lightly. It is full on brain surgery complete with a partially shaved head. No fun for anyone involved!!! Sadly shunt failure is VERY common. About 75% of all shunts fail and once you have one revision, the statistics go up from there.
There is currently no public funding for research and development of shunts. As a result, the STARS organization was born. The organization looks for private donations to support research so that Grace and others like her may have less (or better yet NO) revisions in their lifetime.
So, the reason for this post is two-fold.
First, if you live in or near the Grand Haven, MI area, we would love to have you join our team for the walk on Oct. 25th. There is a $25 registration fee that can be paid on the morning of the walk. You can raise additional funds for our team as well. Please let me know if you intend to join our team so I have accurate numbers!
Second, I am asking you to please consider donating to our team. I've made it easy to do by simply clicking on the link on the top right side of this blog.
PLEASE LINK TO THIS BLOG POST WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
You can view more information about the WALK by linking here.
You can print out a registration and pledge form (if you plan to walk) by linking here.
You can donate right now by visiting this link or by clicking the DONATE button located at the top right hand side of this page.
.
Thank you!
-The Professor
P.S. I am still donating 100% of the proceeds from my Etsy shop from not until Oct. 25th.
I am writing to you this morning to tell you that The Designer, Lil Bug, Lil Princess and I (along with some wonderful friends and family) are joining together to form Team Gracie at the 2nd annual STARS (Seeking Techniques Advancing Research in Shunts) walk-a-thon. The walk is on Saturday, Oct. 25th at 10am and it walks along the Grand Haven boardwalk (keep your fingers crossed that it isn't freezing cold and blowy like it was last year!).
As you probably know, Lil Bug received a shunt when she was just 2 days old. The shunt serves the purpose of regulating the fluid that surrounds her brain. Without the shunt, she would have likely died. Even though the shunt has served its purpose, we have already had to have one surgery to "fix" it as it was not working properly. When Lil Bug has a revision, it is not something to be taken lightly. It is full on brain surgery complete with a partially shaved head. No fun for anyone involved!!! Sadly shunt failure is VERY common. About 75% of all shunts fail and once you have one revision, the statistics go up from there.
There is currently no public funding for research and development of shunts. As a result, the STARS organization was born. The organization looks for private donations to support research so that Grace and others like her may have less (or better yet NO) revisions in their lifetime.
So, the reason for this post is two-fold.
First, if you live in or near the Grand Haven, MI area, we would love to have you join our team for the walk on Oct. 25th. There is a $25 registration fee that can be paid on the morning of the walk. You can raise additional funds for our team as well. Please let me know if you intend to join our team so I have accurate numbers!
Second, I am asking you to please consider donating to our team. I've made it easy to do by simply clicking on the link on the top right side of this blog.
PLEASE LINK TO THIS BLOG POST WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
You can view more information about the WALK by linking here.
You can print out a registration and pledge form (if you plan to walk) by linking here.
You can donate right now by visiting this link or by clicking the DONATE button located at the top right hand side of this page.
.
Thank you!
-The Professor
P.S. I am still donating 100% of the proceeds from my Etsy shop from not until Oct. 25th.
Friday, October 3, 2008
I was in the mood...
for a new do! (please ignore the dark circles under my eyes...it's been a long week!)
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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