what grace looks like

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Everybody goes through tough times, but God is in control of it all.  No matter what we face in this life, we have a reason to hope and the strength of God behind us to get us through. As today marks exactly 6 months from the day I was whisked off to Wichita by ambulance, I am reminded, and would like to share that reminder, that you can trust that God is taking care of all the details in your life, right now and always.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2

Click here to listen to a song that basically proclaims this. No matter what our circumstances may be, we have a God that holds us in the palm of His hand and never lets go. Tyler and I first heard this song when I was in Wichita, when it was very fitting for the situation, and last night he happened to choose it on the iPod as we were driving home from the farm, which was also a good reminder.

And of course, then we have this perfect picture of God's grace to remind us...

sisters from the start

Nyla has adjusted to Hazel very well. She always wants Hazel to go with us wherever we're going, whatever we're doing. She loves to snuggle on Hazel and share her green blanky with her. If anyone gets too close to Hazel she gets protective and starts stomping her feet and yelling, "That's my baby! Mommy take her home!" 

 

 

Now that the Nyla and Hazel have been sharing a room, Nyla has been getting annoyed with Hazel at night when they are trying to go to sleep. A few nights ago, they were both in bed and I was listening as Hazel kept making making gaga noises and Nyla kept telling her to "Be quiet, Hazel!" Then finally she marched to the door with her hand on her hip and in a tattletale voice informed me that "Hazel keeps making baby talk and squeaky noises."

Lately Nyla keeps asking me if I'm going to put Hazel in her crate, which is what I call the dog box / pet taxi thing that AJ goes in. I keep telling Nyla what she means is the crib, but she still continues to talk about putting Hazel in her crate.

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. ~Unknown

torticollis update

I was all gung ho about posting an update but now I'm trying to decide where to start and not bore you to death. I'll leave out as many details as possible, but that is hard for me! 

As I said before, Hazel was referred to and evaluated by the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center a couple Mondays ago. We met with our Family Services Coordinator, physical therapist and certified physical therapy assistant, all together at our house. Since then they have developed an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) for us like they would do for any infant or toddler engaging their services. (It would be an IEP - Individualized Education Plan - for a preschool-age or older child.)

When people think of the service center and IFSPs and IEPs, oftentimes they think of developmental delays or learning disabilities, speech issues or other special needs. Then they may wonder why an infant would be referred there for this type of "medical" problem. If left untreated, torticollis can lead to gross motor delays and physical disabilities as the child gets older that would also get him/her referred to the service center. So this is like an early intervention program for that. Hazel's case of torticollis is by no means severe, so likely in a few months when it has resolved, she will be exited from the program just like Nyla was. Right now every developmental area shows her to be where she needs to be, except possibly gross motor, which she'll likely catch right up on.

Hazel has weekly physical therapy sessions at our house with the physical therapist, and daily stuff with me. The physical therapist will monitor her progress from week to week and coach and remind me on what all I should be working on with her.

Some of the things her program and physical therapy involve include:

• Different types of stretches on her neck muscles
• Tummy time to build strength in her upper body
• Time in the Bumbo seat 
• Strategic placement of her toys and any stimulation so that she is encouraged to look straight ahead and to the left
• Strategic placement of her body in relationship to things she wants to look at (such as the ceiling fan)
• Tracking exercises - up and down and side to side while lying on her back and in a supported sitting position
• Repetitions of pulling her to a sit and reverse lowering her, working to build enough strength for her to tuck her chin and not lag her head

Hazel's weakest and tightest angle is looking down and to the left so that's the direction I am constantly conscious of trying to get her to look.

I had never heard of a service center before I moved to Quinter, and now that I have children I realize what a great one we have in Northwest Kansas and how much they have to offer in areas such as hearing, speech, behavior, education, giftedness and programs like Parents as Teachers (which Nyla and I participated in till she turned 3 and now Hazel and I are starting it). All children should be given a fair shot at success and happiness and the service center can play an important role in that when a need arises.

pickin' punkins

1. beautiful weather

2. good ole fashioned family fun 

3. too much wind, dust and bugs (for me)

4. chickens, ducks, geese, goats and bunnies

5. hayrack ride

6. u pick ‘em pumpkins

7. the best homemade caramel apples
8. feed maze

9. spending time together

10. just the 4 of us

First stop - bunnies

 Last year the goats were her fave. This year it was definitely the bird coup.

 Not sure what this was all about.

 We thought we might die if we didn't find our way out of that maze soon.

 Nyla couldn't resist the mini pumpkins.

 No one could resist this perfect little punkin.

  Wherever we go "tasty treats" are always a top priority.

 The End :)