Deep Breath

Today, I received these tags in the mail. No tears. Just took a really deep breath.  A really, really deep breath.  This is our life. Oh, how I do not want this for our daughter or any other child, but this is our reality.

John 9:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”   ³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

BIG WEEK

Yesterday, Sadie's walker arrived. I held back those tears as she completely adjusted and ran across that room.   I took it into the preschool in hopes they would make it work in that small environment and it did! The kids were so excited to interact with her eye to eye. This afternoon, she is very happy to be "walking" and she is wearing her glasses without immobilizers. God is sooo good!

I know she doesn't look thrilled in this picture (she is watching a movie) and I couldn't get a good video, but I promise she loves it! Our cabinets, couch, and armoire are seriously hurting, but it is so worth it.

In other news, there has been lots of snow here in Nebraska, but no complaints. Ben (and Greg) are loving it.

Happenings

This picture makes me laugh!

Sometimes your husband comes to see you when you're getting your hair done and have no makeup on and decides to snap a picture.

Snuggle time. I don't know why Louis is on the couch.

Now, on to some happenings...

Ben: splint was taken off on Monday, eating like a horse, more manipulative than ever, sleeps with his alarm clock 1 inch from his head, demands to ride his bike to school with a wind chill of -8 degrees. That pretty much sums it up :)

Sadie: has found mobility is the only way. If she is not moving, she is not happy. If you are eating, you better make a double portion (even if she has just eaten). Starting to figure out the Ipad. We are using an app called my first AAC (adaptive communication) that allows her to choose between two items. Right now, we are using a cow and dog puppet. She usually chooses the dog on the computer and Greg does a big production with the puppet. We will travel to Omaha next week for Sadie's developmental clinic appt. We will meet with multiple docs and therapists and are hoping for any new insight!  We also rec'd a letter offering us a 50% discount on Sadie's genetic testing that was done last year. We owed almost $4000 and were able to pay it off! That is officially the last medical bill owed :)

Greg: busy with house projects, work, and derby car preparation for scouts.

Me: just the norm, but trying to cook something new almost every night. So far this week...stuffed bell peppers (lean sirloin, navy beans, artichokes, tomatoes and parmesan-Sadie ate 2 1/2 servings of the filling!); lettuce wraps (diced pork, garlic, carrot, celery, bell pepper, green onion and my own peanut sauce-this was my favorite!); chicken parmesan with whole wheat penne (Ben ate 2 servings!); baked fish (breaded with cheese, breadcrumbs, and herbs) with a side of black-eyed peas; mini pizza roll-ups (crescent roll dough stuffed with artichokes and diced tomato, turkey pepperoni, mozzarella and parmesan cheese--Ben ate 4!); vegetable/beef stew with cornbread muffins.  The best part? Every meal cost less than $5 to make and we always had leftovers for the next day!

Hopefully, I will get back on the blogging train. Til next time!