A Transformed Room!

In our old house all of the storage was built ins in Audrey' room, so we couldn't bring them with us. This lead to some problems in the new house....

 But not long ago we found a solution...

 EQUALS

Oh, her room is so much better now and I am so much happier!!! AND it fit my budget, since it cost me $3.00 plus tax :)

A funny story on the paint. I was REALLY BROKE (seems to be my motto lately...) so I told Audrey that she HAD TO choose a "miss tint" at the hardware store. The miss tints are paint orders that didn't come out the color the customer wanted so they didn't buy it, therefore the store marks them way down to make something off of them. On this particular night Audrey was ADAMANT that we would paint the new storage thing pink, but there was no pink at the store. We were having a pretty heated debate about the colors they did have when one of the guys that knows me there came up and whispered in my ear "I can magically turn the yellow into pink for you at no extra cost..."

Ding Ding Ding.. I think we have a winner!!!

He did a little mixing magic and we were all happy. When I finished and put the storage thing next to her doll house I had to laugh... I don't think we could have matched it better if we tried, and we didn't try at all!!

What have you transformed recently?

What is October? P3

What is October??

Check HERE if you don't know!

The victories in Living with Spina Bifida are far reaching!

A victory for us this summer??

We got to do swim lessons...

For the first time in THREE YEARS!!!

Because we actually had a break in surgeries and procedures, so it was safe for Nathaniel to get in the pool this summer!!!!

A simple thing that many families take for granted,

but not us!

We sing praise to the Lord for a summer of swim lessons!

Now I have to confess.

I was BROKE this summer.

I was actually working for negative money once you figured in childcare!

But through the grace of God and the generous donation of a kind agency, we still got swim lessons!

So there you have it.

Everyday life with Spina Bifida in the simple things....

Like swim lessons and community supports!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Due to the kindness of some special friends Faline and I were able to take the kids on a vacation before school started back up to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was a fun trip and the Aquarium was very interesting. I was very disappointed in the wheelchair accessibility, but other than that it was a great trip.

I think that the penguins were the favorite. Both Brianna and Nathaniel were trying to talk us into bring all 23 of them home with us! I am NOT sure where they thought that those penguins would fit in the car or who would be caring for them at home, but boy did they try! Audrey especially loved the touching pools where she could feel all of the sea creatures. Nathaniel even touched a few, and I have to say that that was thanks to Matt at PSC, Nat NEVER touched living creatures before Matt this summer!

All in all it was a fun trip and we are so thankful to our generous friends for making it possible!

An Amazing Medicine!

I have long forgotten what laughter can do for one's heart...

It seems like forever since I have felt like laughing, 

But just this week I have been filled with laughter, and it has been so healing to my heart!

Just the other night I went to a group that I have recently started attending. The group has been a real heart blessing to me, but the blessing REALLY hit me this week. I am T.I.R.E.D. Work is crazy, kids are crazy, keeping up with the house is crazy, and Nathaniel's health continues to throw me right over the edge. (Just that day, before the group, I learned that Nathaniel needs yet another surgery. This will be the 3rd and 4th surgeries of THIS YEAR. Oh man.) So I was tired as the time approached for this group. I was so tempted to go to the beach and take a nap instead of attending group, but I chose not to. I am so glad that I chose to go to the group. I sat on the floor and was blessed by a great discussion, but even more I was BLESSED to find myself laughing. Really, from the heart, joyful laughter. And as I sped home (we don't do the greatest job of getting out on time..) I reflected on the fact that it has been a LONG time since I could just relax and laugh in a situation. What a treat.

So with that lesson fresh in my heart, I looked at my daughter this morning and just laughed. Now this is REALLY HUGE, because the control oriented, organized mommy in me wanted to "fix her", but then I remembered laughing... So I scooped her up and giggled with her and let her explain her "glorious creation" to me. After a few minutes I did gently ask her if she wanted mommy's help with her creation, but I got an EMPHATIC "NO!!" on it.... so I let her go off to school with her glorious creation.....

 After all, it's jsut hair, and if she changes her mind she can take the clips out!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

Friends..... and funnies!

A while ago (time is all relevant anyways, right?) we headed north to have a mini family vacation before school started back up. We had tons of fun visiting with our friends J & T, and their beautiful children. My kids especially had fun playing with J's work toys. As much fun as it was, I am not sure if they will ever invite the chaos of our family on them selves again, but we do have lots of fun pictures to remember this trip by.

It was nice to just hang out with friends and let the kids (of all sizes) play. Sometimes I put way too much pressure on hang out situations by expecting my kids to behave with great manners and in such a way... but let's be honest, kids will be kids and putting that extra stress on the situation doesn't help anyone. So, even if I was MORTIFIED when Nathaniel was NOT nice to J&T's son, I will focus on the FUN that we had, and how great it was to be in the company such great people!

On the final note though.... you HAVE to check out Brianna and her hilarious moves here....