Sight and Sound

While my lovely in-laws were in town, we were privileged to see the play Joseph at the Sight and Sound Theater. It was AWESOME. It was the first time Joel and I had ever been and wow, was it incredible!! We had such a fun time with our family and also our church young couples group! :)

I don't know if we have any pictures with just us "adults"...what a great one!!

Aren't they cute??!!

What can I say?? He's the love of my life...

Fun at the Stream

Joel's parents came down from Ontario for a visit...we had such a great time, as usual! They got to spend a whole week with us and there was lots of fun things going on. This day we took them to our favorite spot down at the stream...

My Mom in law had some great shots she shared with me...

They were beyond HAPPY when I let them get IN the stream...

End of School Year

One of my favorite blessings of not working the past few months has been to be available to go to the special end of year school events for the cherubs. Joel and I both got to go to Alex's end of the year picnic...it was so fun to spend that time with him!!

Later in the week, I was able to go to Chloe's end of year picnic! I had such a blast watching her play her games and be with her special friends. I am one blessed Mama...

My adorable nephews

My sister made me an Auntie for the 6th time this April when Kennedy Jay was born! I gotta tell you, being an Aunt is like the coolest 'job' EVER. You get to spoil them rotten, love on them and when they're cranky you get to give them back to their Mama! I L.O.V.E being an Auntie...actually, Abraham calls me KK and I kinda dig that. ;D

So, after Kennedy was born I pretty much begged my sister to let me do a 'photo shoot' of the boys...it was super fun! I love how they turned out --

Field Day

I was so excited to be able to go and see the cherubs have fun on their Field Day this year!

They had a beautiful day filled with fun...

Grateful Reflection

When the weather begins to warm and the grass grows long and green...I know what's coming after. Pretty soon the sound of lawnmowers fills the air. And while I have always loved the smell of fresh cut grass, it's just not the same anymore. I try very hard not to cringe when I hear and smell those first sounds and smells of summer. Each year it gets a little bit easier to enter a new summer season.

But once July comes around, the memories of July 3rd, 2006 become crystal clear in my mind. It has become very therapeutic for me to take time and sit down and write what comes to me about the anniversary of Chloe's accident. I hope one day to print these posts out and give them to Chloe, prayerfully they encourage her heart and tell her how very very much her Mama loves her as well as the rest of the family...and anyone that has come in contact with her for that matter! :)

This year has been very challenging for Chloe - Following a great summer, she began to have severe leg pain and was unable to walk in her prosthetic leg. To this day we are not sure what happened but her Pediatrician at the time believed she had a bone infection. Chloe spent the first week of 1st grade in the hospital. This was quite traumatic for Chloe and it brought back many bad memories for her and many fears she has about pain, needles, medicine, etc.

I really really struggled through this situation because later on, through her amazing Orthopedic Doc, Dr. Leet - we would find out that it was indeed not an infection! And so began my questioning, self doubt and guilt...I had made the wrong decision, believed the wrong person and as a result put my baby through unnecessary pain and trauma. If I can be quite honest, I have no earthly idea why God allowed that to happen, why He didn't intervene and stop this from happening. Why did Chloe have to miss out of all the exciting firsts of 1st grade and go through all this pain? My question for God was WHY? Hasn't she been through enough??

And all of a sudden, I was right back to where I was 4 years ago when Chloe's accident first happened. Angry, yes. Scared, yes. Confused, heck yah. Helpless, that too. BUT GOD. My Father God, who is rich in mercy and love has a perfect plan for Chloe, a plan for her good and to give her a good future and a hope. So I clung to that Truth desperately by faith and in the dark when nothing made sense to me at all. Because I believe, that I believe, that I believe that God is good, ALL the time and He loves my girl much more than I ever could.

So after a few weeks off of school, a few weeks of going to school and riding in the wheelchair...Chloe got back to herself once again. And we all took a deep breath!! One of the things I am so thankful for this year was her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Strauss. I'm telling you, this lady was a gift straight from God this year! Every day she went above and beyond for Chloe and for us...at the end of the year, she told me that Chloe was an inspiration to her. Wow! Chloe also made some really sweet friends in class this year who (when she was in the wheelchair) took turns spending their recess inside with her coloring, playing games, etc.

However, she took quite a few 'hits' on the bus from some insensitive kids. For the first time, someone made fun of the scar on her arm. She came home devastated. I told her, "Girl, be proud of those scars...they are your warrior marks! You survived something not many could". (and no, I did not hunt that insensitive child down and chew her a new one...I restrained myself!!) ;) We often tell Chloe that we are ALL different in some way or another but that is what makes us special, unique. But her leg is not WHO she is...she is so much more than her leg!

There have been many great moments this year for Chloe!! We've had some fun hikes on the trail, the biggest blizzard we've ever seen, a new cousin who joined the family, a zoo field trip that I got to join her on, a special visit with her Grandparents, a combined Bday party with her brother, a new hamster, a new bike with NO training wheels... Coming soon this month are swimming lessons for her, she is thrilled!! Chloe has also grown 1/2 an inch since her last prosthetic check up so they are ordering new parts, new sleeves and new sleeve covers. What a blessing Real Life Prosthetics has been to us, and it's right in our own backyard!! Our list of wonderful fun times and things we are thankful for goes on and on, they outweigh the not-so-great list.

We've come along way in 4 years...all the way God has led us and shown Himself faithful and loving. Chloe is learning to monitor herself, to take responsibility and is becoming more aware of how she feels and how to take it easy on her body. She is the toughest little person I've ever met and she continues to amaze us and inspire us...Chloe, you are our HERO and we love you so much! Thank you God for placing Chloe in our family, we are forever better because of her. We can't wait to see all the good things you have in store for her!!

I just love pictues. They can tell the story so much better than I can.

Here is Chloe's year ~

Hiking in the woods and finding treasures

Chloe with her new nephew, Kennedy

Chloe with her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Strauss and 1st grade friends

Chloe with her buddy, Quincey

2010 Easter Family Picture

Chloe and her BFF, Sydney...they've been friends since Kindergarten.

End of Year 1st grade picnic

~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ~

"Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us

an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal". (NIV)

Click on the links below to read the past years of reflecting...

July 3, 2007 - A Time to Remember

July 3, 2008 - You Just Never Know

July 3, 2009 - Looking Back

and Chloe's Story

Use EXTREME Caution

Many of you may know but some may not our sweet Chloe's story. Click here to read why these 2 articles touch so close to home for me. I beg you to read these articles, seriously consider these recommendations and take action.

I write this post because I feel compelled to warn others of the danger of allowing children remotely near lawn mowers of any kind. It's not a fun family thing to do, it highly dangerous and has such a great potential to do severe damage.

For your children's sake, please teach them proper safety measures when it comes to lawn mowers. And pass it on to your friends and family. I wish with all my heart someone would have shared this information with us. Tomorrow marks the 4 year anniversary of Chloe's accident and amputation...think about it...

"The power lawn mower is one of the most dangerous tools around the home. Each year, approximately 68,000 persons with injuries caused by power mowers were treated in emergency departments. More than 9,000 of the people hurt were younger than 18 years. Older children and adolescents were most often hurt while cutting lawns as chores or as a way to earn money.

Lawn mower injuries include deep cuts, loss of fingers and toes, broken and dislocated bones, burns, and eye and other injuries. Some injuries are very serious. Both users of mowers and those who are nearby can be hurt.

To prevent lawn mower injuries to children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:

• Try to use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is let go.

• Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.

• Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.

• Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Use a collection bag for grass clippings or a plate that covers the opening where cut grass is released. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.

• ** Make sure that children are indoors or at a safe distance well away from the area that you plan to mow **

• Start and refuel mowers outdoors, not in a garage or shed. Mowers should be refueled with the motor turned off and cool.

• Make sure that blade settings (to set the wheel height or dislodge debris) are done by an adult, with the mower off and the spark plug removed or disconnected.

• ** Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse **

• Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.

• ** Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers **

Lawn mower-related injuries to children are relatively common and can result in severe injury or death. Many amputations during childhood are caused by power mowers. Pediatricians have an important role as advocates and educators to promote the prevention of these injuries.

Each year in the United States, approximately 9,400 children younger than 18 years receive emergency care for lawn mower-related injuries. Although most of these injuries occur to older children and adolescents, about one fourth are to children younger than 5 years. Ride-on mowers and other power mowers account for 21% and 23% of pediatric mower-related injuries, respectively. More than 7% of pediatric mower-related injuries require hospitalization, which is approximately twice the hospitalization rate for consumer product-related injuries overall. Amputations and avulsions account for 7% of pediatric mower-related injuries. Power lawn mowers caused 22% of the amputation injuries among children admitted to one regional level 1 trauma center. Additional details regarding pediatric lawn mower-related injuries are available in the technical report available online.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Young children must not be allowed to play in or be adjacent to areas where lawn mowers are being used. ** Children younger than 6 years should be kept indoors during mowing **

Children must not be allowed to ride as passengers on mowers or to be towed behind mowers in carts or trailers. They should not be permitted to play on or around the mower when it is in use or in storage.

Children should not operate lawn mowers until they have displayed the necessary levels of judgment, strength, coordination, and maturity. They should also be educated in mower operation and safety and be supervised by an adult before they are allowed to operate a mower by themselves. Most children will not be ready to operate a walk-behind power mower or hand mower until at least 12 years of age or a ride-on mower until at least 16 years of age."

Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention, 2000-2001

SOURCE

**********

"With spring around the corner, it will soon be time to trim the lawn, but spring also marks the onset of what Johns Hopkins Children’s Center (where Chloe was treated) specialists call lawnmower injury season. Lawnmowers can cause devastating injuries in children and are the leading cause of amputations in teens, Hopkins Children’s experts warn.

'Every spring and summer we see children so badly injured by lawnmowers that they need amputation or extensive reconstructive surgery,' said Rick Redett, M.D., director of reconstructive and plastic surgery at Hopkins Children’s, Maryland’s designated pediatric trauma center where the most severe cases are treated.

Many more children with less serious injuries end up in local emergency departments, Redett said.

Each year, lawnmower accidents send 9,400 U.S. children to the hospital, causing injuries more severe than any other tool or device, research shows. The most common injuries are lacerations, fractures and amputations of the fingers, hands, toes, feet and legs."

**Most injuries occur when a person operating a ride-on mower is unaware that a child is behind the mower and shifts into reverse, backing over the child.**

Of the lawnmower accidents seen among patients at Hopkins Children’s between 2000 and 2006, 95 percent led to amputations and required reconstructive surgery.

Hopkins Children’s experts offer the following prevention tips:

• Keep children under 6 years old indoors while a power mower is in operation.

• Don’t allow a child under 12 to use a walk-behind mower.

• Keep children under 16 off ride-on mowers, even with a parent.

• If you are mowing and see a child running toward you, turn off the mower immediately. Children can fall and slip into the blade, especially if the grass is wet.

• Wear protective goggles and close-toed shoes when operating a mower or when near one.

• Before mowing, clean the lawn of debris such as sticks and stones, which may get caught in the blades and propelled out.

• If injury occurs, call 911 right away and apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding while you await an ambulance.

• Buy mowers with a no-reverse safety feature that requires the operator to turn the mower around instead of shifting into reverse.
  

SOURCE

Hope

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Wow!!! Talk about perseverance and drive...that's my hope for Chloe. What more can I say?

Simple

{ Serenity }

Spring Beauty

There is this gorgeous lilac bush on the side of my Mama's house and it's my favorite! Growing up my sister and I would pick blooms from this bush for our elementary teachers each spring. Now my cherubs are picking blooms for their teachers...

And these next beauties began simply from a few shoots from our friend, Kathy's beautiful garden...now they are just thriving and looking absolutely stunning in all their glory!