Little annoyances are actually little blessing...

Lately when reading an acquaintances blog I learned about their recent doctor's visit that revealed that their adoptive son would more than likely never walk, talk or function as they had originally thought.  Hearing that news sent me into a tailspin of thoughts about Parker.  It gave me a new perspective of appreciation for this day, this hour I get to spend with Parker, these days where we get to spend the days playing, learning new words, cuddling, changing diapers, eating messy food, singing silly songs and laughing.  Some days it is so easy to focus on the insignificant things in life that annoy us, but today I choose not to...and hopefully in the days to come I will continue to be reminded of the precious gift God has given us in Parker.

I will see the alphabet fridge magnets all over the floor that my foot always manages to slip on as a blessing.

I will see crusty food on the floor, windows, walls, couch, carpet, clothes, hair and pretty much every place imaginable as a blessing.

I will see slimy finger and mouth prints on the front windows and sliding door...so much that you have a distorted image of outside as a blessing

I will see the toys strewn all over the floor that make it impossible to enter the room as a blessing.

I will see the 5am wake up calls because Parker is in pain from teething as a blessing...I already did kinda see these times as a blessing though.

I will see my wet clothes after every bath because Parker loves to splash me as a blessing.

I will see the somewhat annoying kids songs that we listen to in the car as a blessing.

I will see the fits that Parker throws every time we brush his teeth as a blessing.

I  will see every day I am given to be Parker's mom on this earth as a blessing and when the time comes for him or myself to be taken to heavenly glory I will see the day we meet again for eternity as a blessing.

No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed...

Parker loves the books about the monkeys jumping on the beds.  He always wags his finger when the doctor says "No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed"!  Well yesterday he had to wag his little finger at himself as a reminder that "No More Little Boys Should Jump On Their New Pottery Barn Chair"!  Daddy set the chair up a little too close to the train table and Parker's head found it's way to the corner quickly!  Immediately there was an egg forming on his head.  Joel wanted ice on it, but Parker wanted nothing to do with it.  He wore that egg proudly and like all boys seemed unaffected by it!

 We desperately need to work on Parker's smiling capabilities!

Peeping Parker...

Privacy?!?!  What is that?!  

I think Joel and I have completely forgotten!  

Even the shower is fair game for 

Parker to come say "Hello".

Life...

Sometimes life deals you a crazy hand...Joel and I (mostly Joel) are in the midst of one of those hands.  We know it will pass, but right now it is just really difficult. 

Joel's back has not been well for the past several months, but he has still been able to live life.  On Sunday, September 16, while messing around in the backyard Joel dove to catch Parker who was about to fall backwards out of a chair.  It was immediately apparent that he was not going to jump right up after this one.  The next few days were a struggle, but each day brought small signs of improvement.  The weekend hit, though, and the days were getting progressively worse.  The doctor prescribed a muscle relaxer and some Vicodin which threw Joel into a constant state of sleep for the weekend where he mostly could only lie on his back.  As his body adjusted to the medication he was able to be more coherent and attempted to go to school on Monday.  With the pain getting progressively worse he took the rest of the week off of school and took it easy as much as possible alternating icing, resting, stretches, therapy, etc.  At this point he was not able to do much at physical therapy due to the pain he was in and the lack of movement he has.  He has seen little to no improvements along the way yet which has been frustrating at times. 

We currently are 3 weeks into the injury with not a lot to show in regards to signs of improvements.  An MRI showed that he has a herniated L4/L5 disk.  He will be referred to a surgeon soon...not necessarily for surgery, but just to have some visits out of the way in case in the future he does need surgery this could expedite that process. 

We didn't actually say "in sickness and in health" in our wedding vows, but it was understood that that phrase was part of our commitment.  This has been a great time for us to live out our vows to each other and support each other through this challenging time.  Chronic pain is a very challenging thing for all parties involved, but I think we both have risen to the occassion and are handling it as fabulous as possible...besides maybe a few stressful moments!

Pumpkin Fest 2012...

We just love all of the events that downtown Zeeland hosts.  It makes the world we live in feel smaller and more personal, and it is fun to see a small community come together to support local businesses and enjoy living in community with each other.

Parker sat completely still in his stroller for the whole parade and waved at every float...we might need to be in the parade next year to put his wave to good use!  Joel and I were blown away by the amount of candy we got too!  Parker loved eating all of the Smarties and Daddy loved the Tootsie Rolls.  One float was giving away Tennis Balls and that definitely took the cake in Parker's eyes.

This was our first outing in about a month as a family due to Joel's back so after the parade we continued to enjoy the festivities with some hot chocolate, walking around and petting the animals from Critter Barn.  It was a crisp Fall day and we were definitely not dressed warm enough, but we had such a fun time!

Look out! Pregnancy is contagious...

While out celebrating Jodie's 30th birthday we took the opportunity to get a pregnancy picture of us girls before Sarah had her baby!  Such an amazing group of women God has blessed me with to walk the road of motherhood together.  Their support, advice, laughter, tears, spiritual encouragement and positive attitudes have really been the outlet I need to help me be the best mom and wife that I can be!

22 weeks...