The Climb

The other day I was scrolling through my Facebook News feed and I saw this picture of Emma pop up.  It was a flyer for another adaptive climbing clinic with the awesome Catalyst Athletes.  I quickly found out the date and signed Emma up for a fun morning of climbing with people who could help her be successful.  She was so excited to get to climb again with some friends and make some new friends as well. 

We headed an hour away to the climbing gym and Emma happily geared up to start climbing.  She was so excited that a few of the helpers from the last climb were there and quickly paired back up with one of the ladies named Lauren for her first climb.  What was really nice for this climb was that there were a lot of helpers and most of her climbs she had to helpers on the wall by her to encourage and guide her as needed.  Emma loved the attention!!

 Taylor played in the rocks while sissy climbed and climbed and climbed!

 laughing and giving fives on the wall!

 hanging of the wall for a much needed leg break.  I think this was about her fifth or sixth climb that day.  They were trying to get her to go higher but Emma wouldn't budge.  

 This smile says it all!  This group helping and allowing her to climb gives her so much confidence and joy.  She was all smiles all morning.  She really loved it because she meet another girl there who wore two cochlear implants and they were excited to see someone like them who wore Cochlears.  They cheered each other on and gave smiles and encouragement all day to each other.  Sweet moments!!

 Sometimes you just need a helpful boost:)  

 Taylor was ready for lunch!!

I am so thankful for groups that reach out towards adults and kids who need a helping hand to experience things like rock climbing etc.  The three hours she got to hang out, climb and work on her physical strength means a lot of all of us.  It helps build her muscles, her confidence in trying new and hard things, and her self worth as well.  To me as a mom, I get to see her push herself and I get to see her smile and laugh!!  Her life is not always full of things to bring her smiles so when things make her smile it warms my heart.  She may have to work twice or three times as hard to do something but with the right support there is no climb to high to try!!

Warm Winter Days

After the bitter cold of the last few weeks, having a few days above fifty has been amazing.  We have spent a lot of time outside soaking up the vitamin D and breathing in clean air.  It has been a nice break from the cold!!!

I will say that today I took the kids on a short hike together.  I teared up on the hike however, thinking back on how for the first five years of Emma's life I did not think I would ever see the day that she would be running and walking down a trail. She got tired but she was so happy to be out and hiking together.  I was thanking God the whole time for her ability to go a hike in the warm sunshine.  God is good!!  Sometimes when things are hard and I am stressed and tired, I forget to look back at how far she has come.  Today I was reminded just how far she has come and it renewed my spirit.  

I am thankful to be a mom to two amazing kids who daily teach me to live life to the fullest!  Thankful to be the mom of two miracles!!  

Lavender and Chocolate

Tonight I am thankful for lavender and chocolate!

It is has been that kind of day!  I used lavender bubble bath, lit my new lavender candle in the room she went to sleep in and used lavender oil on Emma tonight.  Poor girl has had a rough day!  We went in this morning to have what we thought was going to be one of three or four dental procedures she has needed done for a while.  They had been postponed due to her ear surgeries.  Today was suppose to be the start of working on her back teeth that are not hardening like they should due to either genetic issues or medicines she has been on.  So, Emma and I headed to the office, she took the "happy" juice and after a wait, she was taken back.

I settled in with my book and my water to wait what I thought would be about two hours or so.  About thirty or forty-five minutes later, they brought Emma back out.  She was still loopy but done.  I was a little confused, till the nurse informed us that they had to stop.  Emma was too upset to continue with just the twilight meds.  Emma was nervous and stressed when we got there and I was afraid it would not go well.  I was right!  I know my child.

So, we set up a visit to our favorite children's hospital to complete this dental work in the Operating Room there.  This will be done in May.  I am thrilled because they can do all the work in one OR visit instead of many trips in the office.  Emma's dentist came out and apologized and felt so bad, but reported she was not calming down and they did not want to traumatize her.

Home I returned with a loopy little girl with a numb mouth.  I would like to report she slept all morning and woke up happy.  But that is not how the day went.  She of course gets cranky and moody on that medicine.  (which is why we do not use it unless we have too at the hospital).  Emma spent the rest of today struggling with her emotions and her feelings.  Which meant mommy and Tay did as well!  She did get a short nap in which briefly helped and so did visiting Meme and Papa for a while.

Lavender, yep lavender was my weapon I pulled out of my arsenal tonight in hopes of calming her into a restful sleep tonight.  I hope it helps calm her and ease the stress today put her under.  I pray she wakes tomorrow and is back to her happy self.

I hate that this stressed her so much and I hate that the stress will be prolonged due to such a far out OR visit.  (first they had open)  She is a hero to me in so many ways.  She has faced over 19 surgeries or major tests in her short life.  She handles it the best she can and always gives us sweet smiles and hugs at the end of the day.  May God give her the peaceful sleep her body needs tonight.

It was lavender for my sweet girl, but for me it is going to be the huge chocolate brownie I am about to warm up and eat!!

New additions to the family

This weekend our family grew by four!  We are proud to announce the addition of Butterfly, Blue Fish, Leonardo and Anna Elsa Bear. 

As you can see we have had fun the last few days.  The kids were give those cool teddy bear tanks and a Petco gift card by their Aunt Nay and Uncle Bob.  They got them for Christmas but we had not had time to set up the tanks and go get the fish.  Friday Daddy had to work late, and I decided to bite the bullet and get the fish.  The kids loved picking out their first ever pet.  They keep checking on them and talking to them.  Taylor's is Blue Fish and he named it that because it was well blue.  Emma wanted her fish to be named Butterfly because she loves butterflies.  Her fish is a pretty bold red.  So far both fish seem happy in their furry tanks:)  I just pray they live a while!!

On Saturday we headed to a local shopping center.  We rarely go to mall they make me crazy with crowds)  But Emma needed new shoes, and Stride Rite has the best selection for her tiny feet.  Since one of her shoes has to have a lift added we have to have a certain type for it to work.  Also, even at her age she still wears toddler sizes.  We happily found two cute pairs on clearance and Taylor found a cool pair of light up Star Wars shoes.  Then, they both earned free kids meal to the Aquarium restaurant and we decided to go for our first meal there.  The kids were in heaven sitting by the huge salt water tank.  

Here they are by the tank with the diver who was cleaning the inside.  We ordered and walked around and around the tank while we waited.  It was really cool!  The kids kept seeing new fish and I loved watching them so excited.  I also really enjoyed seeing the tank.  It was really cool.

After our cool lunch, we headed to use our last gift cards of the Christmas Season, Yep Build A Bear!  Aunt Nay and Uncle Bob also gave them Build a Bear cards so the kids could build their own animal.  Emma went a few years ago with Aunt Nay, but Taylor has never been.  He was in heaven.  He quickly picked his TMNT and Emma decided to get the purple Anna doll.  She opted for the Frozen PJ's, I later found out, because she didn't want to be like the girl she saw who had on the Anna dress.  Sweet girl, we did decided we could go back and get the Anna dress later if she wanted.  Both kids really had fun, stuffing, brushing and dressing their new friends.  I loved watching the smiles and hugs!!  

So, our family had grown by four and my heart grew larger with happy memories with the kids and my hubby.  Thanks Aunt Nay and Uncle Bob for all the fun this weekend.  And may the fish live long and prosper!!

Being a Mom to a Boy

Being a mom to a boy, means things like this:

Yes I spent this Sunday at Monster Jam and  I admit I had fun.  My husband may tell you I jumped and squealed a lot when they flipped (four went over) or almost flipped:)  But it was fun!  Emma really enjoyed it when she saw the pink truck with the female driver.  We started a girl power type of cheer when she came out each time!!  Taylor was in heaven.  He has all his trucks lined up at home ready to rumble too!  It was nice to do an outing geared more towards him for a change!  Fun family memory to kick off 2015