O SAY CAN YOU SEE?

Last week, the boys and I studied patriotic music for school at home.  Last week, we also brought up from the the basement the eagle lawn ornament Jonah got for his birthday last year.  

So Jonah's love of all things EAGLES has been rekindled!

Down by Lake Michigan, there is an eagle nest.  We took the boys to see it today.  Jonah was beyond thrilled.  He requested we play the national anthem as we watched the eagle- so sweet and so funny! 

This is an old photo from his birthday but cute enough to repost!

NOT THE USUAL WAY

No parade.  No band playing patriotic music.  No “Taps“ or gun salute.  No community service in the park.

Safer at home kept us from remembering together our heroes who gave their lives for our country.

Not the usual Memorial Day, but we still need to remember and say “Thank You.”

GUESTS OF HONOR!

A great way to start your day: watch this!

Here is the explanation:

Here is the video:

OH THE PLACES YOU GO: HAPPY GRADUATION ABIGAIL!

From this, August 2016, starting college...

To today, graduating from college- so proud!

You worked so hard and got yourself a job in the midst of COVID-19- not the easiest environment for hiring, but you did it! 

We are so excited for you and 

this next season of your life!

Click HERE for Scriptures for Oh The Places You Go

SAFER AT HOME OBSERVATIONS

Our county, as of yesterday, has started Phase One of  reopening.  This means that businesses can start reopening, but social distancing, masks, and gatherings under 10 people are recommended.  Vulnerable population should still remain home.

Kind of feels like a change, but kind of doesn't.  Especially when we have two boys with special needs.  

Even though statistics show that most children show mild symptoms of COVID-19, Down syndrome often tends to be a variable that often no one can calculate or completely understand.  Even our pediatrician has shared that DS doesn't always follow the book of how things "should" go.  

This is especially true of our Jonah.  He can go from bad to worse very quickly and often without explanation.  We have seen it with kidney infections, pneumonia, strep throat, ear infections, and last year after his surgery with breathing difficulties.  

So I do consider Jonah to be part of the vulnerable population. 

The other added complication for us is our boys, especially Jonah, do not understand personal space.  We work very hard to help them respect people's space, but they are often random and unpredictable about when they are going to "invade"- a hug, a kiss, an in-your-face greeting, a surface lick...I think you get the picture.  

How in the world do I take these two boys out in public and expect to keep them 6 feet away from people?  I definitely would have to hold their hands at all times, but that would get met by great resistance at some point.  And with two of them, the logistics of holding on to both is just hard for me.  This is why I think it might be easier for us to just stay home with them as much as possible even though things are starting to open up.  

Home isn't a bad place- the boys have lots of fun things to play and do.  And they have each other so they aren't without friendship.  But it is hard when they see neighbor kids playing outside and want to join in the fun.  

We experienced that this week.  Jonah was sobbing in tears, yelling in anger, and then just threw himself on the sofa in dismay after we brought him inside because we didn't want him running over to the neighbors to play bubbles.  

I know this sounds mean of us, but as I explained above, Jonah's behavior is too variable.  Jonah can hardly control himself around babies so I was worried he would go right in for a hug/kiss of the little baby.  

And it's not that I am just worried about him contracting something, there is also the concern he could pass something on to someone else.  Even though the boys are staying home, the rest of us are interacting with the outside world, so there is always the possibility we could bring something home.

Just difficult and weird social situations that I am not quite sure how to handle.  On one hand, I feel bad "squelching" the socialness of our boys- especially Jonah.  He loves interacting with people!  I felt so bad when I watched him collapse on the sofa, just sad and frustrated with life at the moment.  

And the other added element is even though we try to explain to the boys that too many people are sick right now so that is why we are staying home, do they really completely understand or do they just think we are being mean?

Just some observations from a special needs perspective about safer at home.  

Yes, we have so much to be thankful for despite the difficult situation our world is facing- we and our loved ones are safe and healthy, Andrew is keeping busy at work, and we are having some great and precious family time- so many blessings.  

So I am not trying to say things are bad for us- just sometimes my heart hurts for our two boys who are living in a world they don't always understand.  And being their mom, I feel responsible for helping them with the frustration that may cause them- but sometimes, I just don't know how to help...

Personal space teaching- oh how we are trying :)

  

MOTHER'S DAY ON MANY LEVELS

Being a daughter, mother, and adoptive mother, there are a few levels to my Mother's Day.

This is one remarkable, funny, hard-working, and Godly woman whom I am so proud to call my mom!  I love you, Mom!

My best job ever has been being a stay-at-home mom to our 5 children for the past 22 years.  

What a joy and privilege!  

Here's my crew- what a great bunch of people!  

Lydia's 3 layer cake for Mother's Day

As an adoptive mom, I carry this truth in my heart.  So thankful for our two little boys and for the moms who gave them the gift of life. 

THEY SEE YOU!

PARENTAL TRUTH 101

Here's the proof:

Jonah copying his Dad sitting in his office

Even sweeter, 

Ben copying his dad having his quiet time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUARANTINE STYLE!

Lydia's 17th Birthday on Thursday- quarantine style!

1. Friend ZOOM birthday party

2. Present drop off on the porch.

3. Ding-dong ditch sidewalk chalk Birthday messages by cousins.

4. DQ ice cream cake picked up through the drive through.

5. Take out from a local restaurant.

6. Promise of a birthday gift of a concert and art class.

7. Online ordering of clothes for a gift for now.

WE LOVE YOU LYDIA!

THE DANGER OF SELF-DEPENDENCE

Some things to ponder today...

Click HERE for devotional about Self-Dependence vs. God-Dependence by A.W. Tozer

"We also have short memories and easily forget the benefits and gifts we’ve received from the hand of God. This is the mark of the apostate—he forgets the benefits of God. The saint remembers the gifts of God and doesn’t require a fresh one each hour to keep his faith intact.

Though God does heap grace upon grace, we should be able to rejoice in God’s benefits if we never receive another benefit from Him." 

R.C. Sproul

Above quote taken from HERE

A SHOUT OUT TO PASTOR JONAH!

For the past 6 weeks, our Jonah has worked hard each Sunday during our home church.  
1. He gives us communion by breaking up his own buttered bread treat and enthusiastically says "Eat All" and "Drink All " (we have to provide our own drinks).  

2. He leads us in worship by following along with the online praise band.  

3. He "preaches" from his Bible although we often don't know what the topic is :)

Jonah also has to work hard not to get in trouble each Sunday morning by becoming too much of a distraction for us to listen to the online pastor.  Self-control is not one of Jonah's strong points so often he finds himself in trouble at one or two or three points during the service :)

Here are some photos from this morning's church service.  Jonah decided to up the ante today and dress the part by adding his own Batman "suit coat" and Andrew's tie.  I also think the light-up "microphone" is quite interesting!

Even though I am excited to get back to in person church, I will really miss our Pastor Jonah.  He is one special little preacher!

In regards to Jonah's lack of self-control, about five minutes after these photos, Jonah was in timeout because he kept putting a piece of paper in front of Stephen's face, causing Stephen to not be able to view church online.  Maybe there's a seminary class or two Jonah needs to take yet...

CONFUSED

This video captures how I feel after listening to news reports about COVID-19 each day.  

Trying hard to have faith in the experts who are deciding how to protect us, but honestly some days it's hard.