First, I wanted to let you all know I fixed the videos that I had posted a while back :) Joseph's horse video & Jordan's swimming lesson video.
Jordan - Oh sweet, ball of energy, smart & loving Jordan. She is loving school & all the fun water festivities the summer brings! She is a huge help lately with her brother & makes him laugh. I heard the annoying words I thought I would never hear the other day - "Mom he started it!" I was so excited the kids were interacting & Joseph was annoying her by pulling her hair. I see this is as huge sibling progress :)
Joseph continues to receive all 8 therapy sessions a week. He is making progress & working hard at new accomplishments. He still attends horse therapy once a week. Joseph's horse Josh passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago. He now rides a horse named Zipper & Stephanie the PT had Zipper trotting last time we were with Joseph. He thought it was hilarious to bounce up and down. He has learned how to tell Zipper to "walk on" - go - by patting him. He has to either make a sound or pat him in a certain spot for him to go & he likes that a lot. He is able to maintain his balance holding on to the couch for quite a bit longer now & has tried to side step a few times. Just this week we have started the process of getting a walker ordered. This will allow him to be upright & start walking with assistance. He is a fish! He gets all excited when you tell him he is going swimming or to Schlitterbahn. He is all about the water :) He has his adenoids taken out & ear tubes put in on Tuesday, August 5th. He has had his blood - as well as ours - drawn to run a very extensive genetic test. We met with a genetic counselor first who explained that the test will look at the specific genes and look for abnormalities, mutations, deletions, etc that could be the cause of what is going on with him. We will know the results in December. The test will also let us know if he has anything that may appear in the future. Pretty crazy all the info we will receive when he gets that back. If you are curious, google whole x-ome test & you will find more information that will answer your questions.
Joey & I are doing well. We have another huge praise report :) We went to Houston for the baby shower a few weeks ago. I had saved money & was somewhat prepared for the trip. That Friday that we left a sweet lady that is part of Joseph's care called & said she wanted to bring something by. I said sure come on over. she had me come on the porch & handed me an envelope of money. She said God told me you needed this today & I am just delivering. Her & I are finance buddies - we encourage each other in that regards. She is always impressed with how we handle money & says I need to use that gift to bless others. I was shocked & hugged her while we both cried. I explained to her that I had needed that for the trip we were fixing to take & she was so excited she had obeyed :) Isn't God amazing? Just blows my mind how he cares about each one of us & the lives we are living!
I was given this verse by a sweet lady at church a few weeks ago when I was feeling run down, tired, and had no motivation. It has really helped me & I know it will bless you too!
15This is what the Sovereign Lord,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it.
I just love the last part - but you have done none of it. This is a warning for the rebellious Judah. It made me think - dang it - I am going to do that.. There is absolutely no way in my human power I would be able to function on a daily basis. Seriously, all these therapists in & out, people asking questions, seeing kids younger than Joseph move up in ability & walk, handling Jordan & her attitude, keeping up a house, cooking, cleaning, entertaining, working out, dr. appointments, insurance phone calls, & work. really people come on - that is all God's Grace! Yet, all we are to do is turn to our Heavenly Father & rest! That's it. That's where my strength comes from. Now before y'all out there reading this get all crazy on me hear this out - a real practical ways to rest amongst the chaos:
Pandora radio - find a Christian station & leave it there! Listen in the car, while cooking, cleaning, doing dishes etc... This blesses me so much. The other day when I was having one of those life is not fair moments this song came on
I learned the lines and talked the talk
'cuz the road less traveled was hard to walk
It takes a soldier
who knows his orders
To walk the walk I'm supposed to walk
'cuz the road less traveled was hard to walk
It takes a soldier
who knows his orders
To walk the walk I'm supposed to walk
Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You
On You
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You
On You
Love the words!
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer & staying cool! Be blessed!
