Happy Anniversary Babe

Four years ago today I married the man of my dreams.  Four years have gone by so fast and so much has happened within those four years.  A whole lot of of goods things, some not so good things but one thing is for certain....I'm still very much in love with my hubby. More in love with him today then ever before. John is so supportive and loving.  When I say supportive and loving..I really mean it.  Even through all my silliness and craziness he loves me the same.  I could not ask for more. Oh yeah...he's very handsome and an amazing daddy to Liam.  He loves Liam so much. Since having Liam I have learned to love John in so many new ways. Thank you babe for these four years.  Thank you for all the love, encouragement and security you give me. Heres to many more years filled with fun, laughter and adventure. I love you with all my heart.

I love our wedding pictures. I look at them often. Such a happy day. 

Rain.

Thank you Lord for the rain this morning. There is a study by Dr. James McDonald called He Will Come to Us Like the Rain.  That thought is amazing.  I need a downpour! Makes me want to go outside and just stand in the rain.  I picture the rain just covering me up! Cover with your love Lord! Your grace and your mercy.

I wanted to take a few minutes and give an update on little Liam.  We had our first meeting at our elementary school yesterday.  Liam will be starting there in the fall.  The state offers a program that enables Liam to get free Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy (ST) while in a school setting.  It is called the PPCD Program which stands for Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities. We had the opportunity to meet his teacher and see the school. They will be going on field trips and having lots of fun.  Liam will be going three days a week for 3 hours in the morning. Since Liam is turning three in July he ages out of the early intervenion program (ECI). Liam has been in ECI since 14 months old. It has been great and very helpful. Liam is growing up so we are moving on to bigger and better things.

Along with the PPCD Program Liam will still be receiving private OT, ST, and Behavioral Therapy.  So yes, busy busy busy.

I signed Liam up for the Mother's Day Out program at church for the summer.  He'll be going every Wednesday in June.  He LOVES church so it will be good for both him and me.

Even with our hectic schedule we still have plenty of time to play outside and do Liam things.  Liam has his own special way of playing.  He plays with things the way they were not intended.  We find it so funny. It's so Liam.

Tomorrow me and John head to our IVF appointment in Austin. Our last appointment had to be rescheduled.  It worked out better because John is able to come with me this time.  I will update y'all on how that appointment goes.

What's going on in your life?

Sweet Liam playing outside

 

A little extra Easter present for Liam

I've been wanting to get an easel for Liam for some time now.  All the easels I've found were way over-priced and I was not completely in love with them.  I could not get myself to spend 150 dollars on an easel.  Did you know that Ikea has an easel for $14.99? Well they do!  You can get it here. The shipping was only $10.00. This easel comes in a natural wood color but I wanted something bright and fun for Liam's playroom.  So that's what I did. :-)

Here is what the easel looked like before. 

Tape the easel very well.  Tape all that you do not want spray painted. 

Viola!

I wanted the easel to be magnetic too so I got some magnetic primer.  It is a little pricey (almost 20 bucks) but it works. Once I put a few coats of magnetic primer I painted over it with some chalkboard paint. 

Here it is in Liam's playroom.  Easy, saved money and so fun!

It's been a while.

Liam has been doing very well lately.  He really is getting stronger and stronger every day.  Since I posted last Liam has started going to a new Speech Therapist and Behavioral Therapist.

The Speech Therapist, Renee uses a completely different approach than any other speech therapist he's had in the past.  During the evaluation I just knew that she understood Liam and what needs to be done to see progress.  The therapy is called talk tools and right now we are focusing on oral placement.  We are starting the process of the straw hierarchy, blowing horns, bubbles and chewing properly. Liam's low tone really effects the way he eats and uses his tongue so we are working on strengthening those muscles.   His therapist gives us plenty of homework. We usually see the speech therapist once a week but she travels all over the world but when we can fit in two times a week we try too. Liam will talk soon...we just know it.

Liam's Behavioral Therapist, Ashley is amazing. She comes to our house every Tuesday and sometimes meets us at the speech therapist.  She is the one who told us about Renee. In actuality I am Liam's number one therapist so while the therapists are teaching Liam, I have to implement what is taught the rest of the days of the week.  Ashley is so wonderful in making sure I understand Liam's behavior. Every parent should have an Ashley. :-)  Aggression and behavior issue are more common in boys with Fragile X so we are very lucky to have Ashley helping us with Liam at an age of 2 1/2.  We are getting a great head start.

Liam still loves going to church.  Everyone loves him there.  He's the "door man".  As in the little boy who loves doors. :-) He even gets a special buddy during class to give him extra attention and help keep an eye on him. Liam will also be starting school this fall.  Oh my goodness! Since Liam turns three in July he can no longer be in the early intervention program so he gets transferred to the school system.  He'll receive speech. occupational and physical therapy though the state at our elementary school.  Liam really is a busy little boy and I'm a busy momma. ;) We are so blessed that we are able to get Liam everything he needs. Blessed that I have a wonderful hubby and Liam has an amazing daddy who works hard and loves us!

One last little update.  Tomorrow is my first appointment to start the process of us having another baby (God willing). We will be starting the process of genetic testing and hopefully IVF. I will be sure to keep you updated on all of the changes that are going on in our lives.

Hope all is well with you all.

God bless.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

52 Reasons Why I Love My Husband

Valentines day is upon us. I saw this craft a while back that I've been wanting to do for John for a while now. I finally just DID it. Since I wasn't sure if me and John would be together for Valentines day I gave him his gifts a little early. I really wanted to share this gift idea and also share with you the 52 reasons why I love John.

 I sat down with a notebook and pen it took less than 5 minutes for me to come up with my list. The reasons just kept on coming. He's a great hubby and I really do love him with all my heart.

Back to the gift idea.

There is still time to do this idea yourself. If you are interested in this crafty gift..from the cards to the a full tutorial on putting the book together..please go here. 

Below you can see the finished product.  it's the cutest most fun idea.  What a great way to express your love. :-)

52 Reasons why I love my hubby:

1. because he loves his family                                                                   
2. because he's sacrificial 
3. because his giving heart
4. because he loves our son
5. because he works hard
6. because he's a rolemodel
7. because he's a great daddy
8. he gives us security
9. he has a humble spirit
10. he makes me laugh so hard
11. he's laid back
12. he's so intelligent
13. he's well spoken 
14. he's helpful
15. he listens to me
16. he gives great advice
17. always lends a helping hand
18. he dresses nice
19. he's passionate
20. he's patriotic
21. he's brave
22. he's content
23. he excepts me for me
24. he's understanding
25. he's empathetic
26. he knows and loves God
27. he's a loving husband
28. he's courageous
29. he stands up for what is right
30. he realizes when he's wrong
31. I love that he's so organized
32. he's my best friend
33. he's accomplished
34. he's a good cuddler 
35. he loves me un-conditionally
36. I love that he's very honest
37. I love that he's so ticklish
38. I love that he's terrible at keeping surprises
39. he randomly brings me flowers
40. he still holds my hand
41. I love his made up songs and serenades
42. I love him because my family loves him
43. I love him because my friends love him
44. he gives me massages
45. he loves my cooking
46. he's very encouraging 
47. he believes in me
48. he supports me and my goals
49. he's very handsome
50. he loves taking me on dates
51. he changes poopy diapers
52. I love him because he married me

Finished product = LOVE

Happy valentines Day!

It's been a week.

This week has been filled with so many different emotions.  I have done a whole lotta reading, a whole lotta phone calls to therapists and getting in contact with local Fragile X support groups. Oh yeah..and some crying.  We have received so much love from family and friends this past week.  I can't say how much it has encouraged and uplifted us.  To know that we have so many people supporting us and praying for us makes all the difference in the world.  I know there will be peaks and valleys but I have such a calm spirit about it. 

I talked to Liam's soon to be Applied Behavior Therapist (ABA) and I am super excited to get started.  She's coming over to the house on Wednesday to do her initial evaluation. I have heard nothing but good things about this therapy.  ABA therapy is usually targeted to kiddos with Autism but Liam will benefit from it as well.  

The ABA Therapist is also putting in a referral for us to a very highly rated speech therapist who uses a unique teaching tools method.  Honestly, I got all sorts of excited about it.  We are willing to do whatever it takes to get Liam what he needs.  Even if we have therapy five days a week..so be it.  

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

An oldy but a goody.  Too cute. 

Our plane has landed...and here we must stay.

So many many things going through my mind these last couple days.  Life is so crazy and always has a way of shaking you up a bit. I've been going back and forth about lots of things and am still pretty raw and fragile when it comes to this. I guess it's just hard to except some things that happen. All we can do is embrace the change and move forward, even now when so many things are uncertain.  And so a new adventure starts for us. On Thursday we found out that our little precious Liam has Fragile X. For those of you who do not know, Fragile X is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability in boys. Phew, Okay, I got it out.  It's going to take some getting used to saying that.  My son has a disability. My heart aches every time I say it. 

They drew my blood at the genetics office because the doctor is quite certain that I passed the gene to Liam.  Another crushing blow.  The fact that I can pass this gene to future children if we decide to have them...BAM...and another crushing blow! 

Questions, questions..like...when will Liam talk? Will he talk? Will Liam play sports? Will Liam have a family of his own? These are all unknown. 

We are not sure what God has in store for Liam.  Liam will have all the therapy and love he needs to live a very happy childhood. Liam has a mommy and daddy who love him dearly and grandmas and papas and aunties who love him too. We know we will all face challenges but what else is there to do but lean fully on God. He knew our Liam before he was even born. 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

 Psalm 139: 13-16 

Words of encouragement from one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. 

Now I am focusing on learning everything I can about Fragile X and getting plugged into communities to get that extra support that I know we will need. 

Never in a million years did I ever see this as part of mine and John's and Liam's life.  But, we are a family...a happy family. Life has thrown us a curve ball but gosh we sure do have  a lot to be grateful for.  

Most of all, I'm grateful for the never ending, never changing love of Jesus. 

I'll leave you for now with some pictures of our angel and a song.