Thought:

I read this on a friends blog and have to repost. It's so very true! I could add a lot more to it from my own experience but the author really does say it beautifully and with respect.

A child with a disability: Derailed:

By Emily Kingsley-

"When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland.""Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.""Like many of you, my plans to go to Italy where unexpectedly derailed. But now I am in Holland. It is different than Italy and Italy would have been magical and great. And I miss the idea of Italy....because I never got to know that place. But the Lord has given me something else and it is beautiful too. I will always be grateful for my brief flight toward Italy and what I thought I was getting and what I felt and experienced on the way. And even though I ultimately landed in a different place my heart will be with Italy as I grow and learn and become in Holland."

Proud...very proud.

May 28th, 2011, Mckelsie and Jayden decided to get baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They took the missionary discussions, learning the basics, prayed some of the most precious prayers I've ever heard and held onto the faith that what they were taught is true. I often thought as I sat listening to the missionaries how simple the gospel sounds and how matter of fact the information was that was portrayed. I never wanted to push my kids to get baptized and always wanted them to "know" it for themselves. I've thought that age 8 is way too young to truly know if this is what they wanted in life. For another reason, Mckelsie didn't really "need" to get baptized. I feel because of her disability she will always have a place in heaven. She is so innocent really and I've always wondered if she would really be able to understand the importance behind the physical baptism. I've had many conversations with people through the years about what age is good and I've had the missionaries coming by the house with inquiring minds as to when we'd be "ready" to allow them to teach my kids. It was only recently when I was having a conversation with a very close friend. He told me all my thoughts were probably right with regards to being the right age and Mckelsie not really needing it.

"However", he said. "Perhaps the main reason for baptism is for us to receive the Holy Ghost. It may really benefit your kids at this time to be able to reach out to the Holy Ghost and use him to make good decisions in their life. They may not fully understand the Gospel or why they are getting baptized, the repentance process but if they have the Holy Ghost to help guide them in their day to day decisions, that may help them."

All I could think of, is: "That's true." I asked my kids if they wanted to learn and of course Mckelsie with excitement all her own answered yes. If it involves attention for Mckelsie, she's game. Jayden thought a little bit harder and a few minutes later said he thought it would be a good idea. So....we began.

What a blessing it has been. I cannot even express into words the comfort that was felt in our home during the discussions. I know that sounds so completely cheesy but it's true. To listen to my kids relay the information they learned, to initiate saying prayers and to see the lights click on was really cool. Right time, right place.

I have to thank the missionaries, Elder Martin and Elder Peyfer. Both were really great with my kids and myself. I'm sure they had lots of questions about our little family, personal questions as the discussions went on but were very respectful of our privacy and taught exactly to how my kids best learn.

I was amazed at how many questions Mckelsie asked and many answers Jayden knew. I have very bright, loving kids....I'm blessed!

I also need to thank all the people that came to the baptism. As I looked around my emotions got the better of me and I totally bawled. My good friends Karen and Melissa were there as they've always supported us through thick and thin. Melissa ended up playing the piano. My friend Ann, whom I share much in common with, lead the music. During the closing hymn our hearts were in tune as I bawled and so did she. She feels my heartache and joy on many levels the same. My parents... amazingly supportive ALL THE TIME!

I had Mckelsie and Jayden plan the whole program so Mckelsie asked her friend Caitlyn to say the opening prayer, Grandma Shar to speak and her friend Kristina to speak as well. Grandma Vickie closed with a prayer. Grandpa Steve and Wes were involved in the confirmation prayers, Grandpa Wes confirming Jayden and my good friend Royd White confirming Mckelsie. Elder Martin baptized Mckelsie and Elder Peyfer baptized Jayden. It was so sweet. Afterwards we celebrated a bit at our house with Banbury Cross donuts and fresh fruit.

It was a wonderful day. I am so very proud of my children. They bless my life in ways I never could have imagined. While it has been extremely hard raising them on my own I'm grateful at the same time because I feel I'm a much better person for it. I think my kids are too. I love them so very much! Family is my key to happiness.

Elder Martin, Rebecca & Elder Peyfer

Elder Martin, Mckelsie, Jayden & Elder Peyfer

Now, down to the important stuff....

Gotta fix the nerf gun.

Jayden did get her to smile.

I was able to get Mckelsie to wear the cutest dress! Amazing!!!

Thought:

Faith

is the power,

Obedience

is the price,

Love

is the motive,

The Spirit

is the key,

And Christ

is the reason.

Little Moments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=l70e1TfN34w

Check out this video....it's so good! I'm going home from work early today just so Jayden and I can go on that bike ride I've been putting off for two days!

Notes from the kids....

This is what I woke up to this morning.....

My kids can be SO cute when they want to be!

Mckelsie's little notes were stuck right in the middle of the bathroom mirror

and Jayden's note was on the ledge molding in the middle of the mirror as well.

How could I not have a good day after waking up to this!?

Sweet Dreams

I love my sleep... wished I got more of it!

Happy Birthday To Me!

I have the sweetest Mom ever! She sent me these flowers today for my birthday with a card that read:

" Happy Birthday Mom, Love Mckelsie and Jayden."

These flowers are beautiful too! They have a couple of roses, carnations, sunflowers and tulips.

(So I just tried this picture altering site....it was great! It's called "Picnik". Try it out! I just took these pics with my cell phone, softened the edges, made colors brighter, added a frame and text.)