SPRING 2025 UPDATE

 Here are some highlights from our spring:

This is actually from February, but great photo of the boys with Grandpa on his 93rd birthday!

Boys get the Respect/Responsibility/Kindness Award for April for their participation in the play!

At a Special Olympics event, boys get to try on gold medals from a local guy who was on the  

US Para-Olympics basketball team

Jonah continues to love gardening and yardwork.  Here he helped me pick rhubarb.

MY DASH

Recently the Milwaukee Brewers mourned the loss of their beloved Bob Uecker.  One thing that was said about Uecker really caught my attention:

"Bob Uecker famously lived a life that 'filled up the dash', referring to the period between his birth and death.  He was a beloved figure in baseball, known for his playing career, broadcasting work, and unique comedic style."

The phrase "filled up the dash" really caught my attention.  

Maybe because I am nearing age 55, maybe because I am going to be a grandma in a few weeks, or maybe because my "career" for the past 26 years has been a stay-at-home- I started to think about how I am filling my dash.  

Then I listened to this song from my praise song playlist, and I really felt like these lyrics captured what I I am trying to do with my dash: simple moments that change the world...

Lyrics of Dream Small by Josh Wilson

verse

It′s a mama singin' songs about the Lord

It′s a daddy spendin' family time, the world says he cannot afford

These simple moments change the world

It's a pastor at a tiny little church

40 years of lovin′ on the broken and the hurt

These simple moments change the world

chorus

Dream small

Don′t buy the lie, you've got to do it all

Just let Jesus use you where you are

One day at a time

Live well

Lovin′ God and others as yourself

Find little ways where only you can help

With His great love

A tiny rock can make a giant fall

Dream small

verse

It's visiting the widow down the street

Or dancin′ on a Friday with your friend with special needs

These simple moments change the world

Of course, there's nothin′ wrong with bigger dreams

Just don't miss the minutes on your way to bigger things, no

'Cause these simple moments change the world

chorus

So dream small

Don′t buy the lie, you′ve got to do it all

Just let Jesus use you where you are

One day at a time

Live well

Lovin' God and others as yourself

Find little ways where only you can help

With His great love

A tiny rock can make a giant fall

So dream small

bridge

Keep lovin′, keep servin', keep listenin′, keep learnin'

Keep prayin′, keep hopin', keep seekin', keep searchin′

Add up the small things and watch them grow bigger

The God who does all things makes oceans from rivers

chorus

So dream small

Don′t buy the lie, you've got to do it all

Just let Jesus use you where you are

One day at a time

Live well

Lovin′ God and others as yourself (others as yourself)

Find little ways where only you can help (only you can help)

With His great love (his great love)

A tiny rock can make a giant fall

Yeah, five loaves and two fish can feed them all

So dream small.

GOOD NIGHT!

UPDATE: Ben also had a sleep study recently.  This was Ben's first sleep study because we never felt like he presented any sleep issues.  However, we felt we should have it checked considering how common sleep apnea is with kiddos with DS.  However, our Ben continues to be built like a tank- he has no sleep issues!  This is great news of course.  But I continue to be amazed that this little guy from a Lithuanian orphanage presents with far less health issues than our little guy who has received the most thorough health care imaginable being born in the USA.  Ben was just born tough- after his heart surgery at 18 months, he just took off health wise and never looked back!

Jonah's sleep apnea numbers went from 32 breathing issues/hour to 19/hour after his tonsillectomy.  Now after his nasal repair surgery, Jonah is down to 6/hour!  6.6 is a great improvement.  In fact, Jonah is now below the number that would warrant the implant surgery for sleep apnea (that was above 9).  So no more surgery needed!

However, his age would show that he should be below 5 for safe sleeping purposes.  So ENT consulted with sleep doctor to see if there was anything that needed to be done to get Jonah down to 5/hour.  Sleep doctor said no interventions needed at this point- she felt comfortable with 6/hour. She did recommended another sleep study in a year to see if Jonah is still in this 6/hour range.  

So great news: Jonah's getting a much better good night of sleep!

53 DAYS OF LIVING CAN MAKE AN IMPACT

Here is very beautiful story of parents who chose life.  

Their son only lived 53 days, but he was "a baby who made a bigger impact on the world in just 53 days than most people aspire to in 80 or 100 years on this earth."   (excerpt from "The Witness", Day 41 Spring 2025, publication of 40 Days for Life)

This is an amazing story of life, love, and hope!

Click HERE for the article

A LITTLE BUNNY IS ON THE WAY

 Baby shower time!

Our grandbaby is due at the end of May.  

We are all so excited!

This weekend we hosted Abigail's baby shower in the afternoon.  

In the evening we hosted an "Uncle Shower" which was requested by Jonah.

The boys got a box of baby toys and a LARGE container of hand sanitizer- useful items for these uncles!