Greetings, Moms!!! I hope you’ve had a wonderful day today. Were you able to do anything special or fun with your family? I have been taking special care of our son as he had surgery on Monday . The surgery was successful; the pins and tension wire were removed from his elbow. He’s very resilient in that the first day out he says, “Mama, look!!  I can turn my wrist full rotation out!! “ I was greatly excited to see this as this has been a limitation due to the hardware being in the elbow. I just wanted to open this up casually before getting to the challenge. I didn’t want to leave you hanging for too long. 

Now for our challenge to think about. I am part of a Mom’s Connect Group in our church. We read through books to study. We will sometimes do a devotional study as we are now. The current study that we are doing is “Grouchy to Great: Finding Joy In The Journey Of Motherhood.” The challenge that was presented to us was to write five things we are grateful for. We are to do this for the next five days. While this activity may end in our group; I choose to keep it going and will continue in my journal. I find that this activity really puts a different perspective on how you decide to open your day. Maybe you had interrupted sleep. I for example last night and the last few weeks have been up several times in the night due to pain in my back. I could have chosen to complain about it, but I haven’t. I in fact have been putting things up with friends “Thank you Lord for the middle of the night wake up. What do You have planned for us these wee hours??” I will now post for you my five things that I have been grateful for since the start of this activity. 

Monday:

I am grateful for...

1. Family; whether we agree or not we will come around one another. 

2. Special friends that are there for you in good times and difficult times, but that I too can be there for them. 

3. Small Group-Mom’s Connect-friendships made and reconnected. 

4. Pastor who cares for us in the church and those who are not that we mention for prayer. My church family. 

5. God bringing people into my life and opening doors to opportunities that I never saw coming. I am excited to see what God has in store for these opportunities. 

Tuesday 

Grateful for....

1. Successful surgery for our son. Great surgeon, caring team. Huge Praise! First day out FULL ROTATION OF THE WRIST!!! The hardware and tension wire prevented him from having full range of motion. 

2. His friend called just to check on him. The encouragement that came from the phone call. We were all blessed. The support of others praying and checking on him — grateful!! My friend Bev, my co-conspirator who spent the day with us at the hospital-beyond blessed!! 

3. My husband, his service to our country, a Veteran, provider for our family.  That he’s able to allow himself vulnerable to express how great love between us. 

4. God’s Word, able to read it daily; grow from the reading and able to apply to my life. 

5. For being able to change perspective on things in my life that otherwise could be negative. I put a perspective of positivity on it instead. This also has become an area of ministry as I was able to minister to someone at the hospital during our son’s surgery. 

Wednesday 

Grateful for....

1. God’s Amazing Grace! 

2. The Lord is my Shepherd wherever He leads I’ll go. 

3. Beautiful warm sunny day.

4. Middle of the night wake up times. 

5. When plans don’t seem to fall into place-God puts them into place in His time. 

I hope to hear some of the things you’re grateful for. I pray that you will be able to see the good and not let circumstances steal your Joy, but that you’ll be able to keep your Joy!

Have a great day Moms!!

Good Afternoon, Moms! I hope you're enjoying your weekend. This weekend is beautiful, but challenging for this Mom. I have a heavy heart this morning. I don't mean as in the loss of a loved one. I mean that I will be taking our son for surgery on Monday that will be longer than four hours. Last year we were at our camp, our son was trying his best to get a photo of a large snapping turtle. He ran down from our site and he got his shot. He was excited that he captured the turtle the way he wanted to in this photo. He was rushing to get to me back at the campsite. As he was climbing the rocks he slipped and fell straight onto his elbow breaking it in three places and separating it from the growth plate in places as well. We had to go to a hospital facility that we were unfamiliar with they did the diagnosis to let us know of the fractures and separations. They wanted to send us further on to another facility that we were not familiar with. We were told by one that was caring for our son that he didn't recommend that we go up there. He told us to tell them "ok", but then to get home as quickly as we can to the hospital that we are familiar and comfortable with the care of our son.  We did just that which was almost a two-hour ride from where we were. We did that and they told us that he'd be facing an over four-hour surgery to place hardware and tension wire in his elbow. Now the time has passed, we are now a year out from injury. We are now returning to the hospital with our son to have surgery to remove the hardware and tension wire from the elbow. This surgery also will be over four hours. I am having a heavy heart because the part of the surgery that makes me cry is when they put him under. This I feel is one of the most difficult things that we have to do with our children as parents. Not every parent will experience their child going in for surgery. Those of us that have I have heard from every one of them that, them taking their child back to put them under for surgery has been the most difficult for them. It's the fear of the unknown. Every surgery is a risk, but when we have God in our lives and trust HIM, giving our children over to HIM - He's in control. They're in His care. I also think of one of my favorite verses found in II Timothy 1:7.  God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and a sound mind. I know several of my Mom friends and other Parents have told me the feelings I am having are all natural. I have a dear, a dear friend of mine coming with me and my husband to the Children's Hospital to pray and support us while our son is in surgery. 

Have a great day Moms!!

Hi, Everyone! Hope you're having a great day. I had an early start to my day. The alarm went off promptly at 5:30 am. I got up got myself ready as usual. I then made a light breakfast. I then got into my area that I love in my living room and spent some time with the Lord there. I got into the Word, then started thinking of songs to have ready for "Rockin' it Out Time" with my great friend Bev. She's a Godly Mom, Sister in the Lord, Co-Conspirator, now that last one that's a good one. She is because we are usually teaming up on our men. We love them, but when they need to straighten up we are on it. We have fun at it and they don't see it coming. We also will plan meals and other fun things right in front of them at times and they miss it. I love Bev because she will talk to me about things, she will get with me on the scriptures. While at times I may shed a tear, she may push me, I most likely won't like it, but I know it's for the best. I love when she brings things to me that I need to hear, need to read, or even just a hug she brings to me and that's all I need. 

You ask about this Rockin' it Out Time. Well, here's the low down on that. This is how we got it started. I had gone to physical therapy for my back. The doctor prescribed aquatic therapy due to my bone disease, Osteogenesis. He didn't feel that regular therapy would be the best option as weight bearing could cause more injury because of the fragility of my bones.  They're compromised because of the bone disease. I was injured during aquatic therapy which landed me three days to the hospital of which by the time I was released I could not walk. I then spent the next three months learning to walk and care for myself again. Bev was one of the loving ladies that came over to help me through this injury. She would talk to me about the sermon our Pastor was bringing to us each Sunday. She would talk to me about a devotion she read, but one of the important times was when she brought me a book Red Sea Rules. This was a very good book and it helped me so much during the healing through my injury. If you'd like to get a copy of Red Sea Rules just click the link.  There were so many lessons learned during this time and with reading this book. We also would spend time watching DVD's of The Gaither's and many others that she'd bring over. We would crank the volume on the television to sing out the hymns and other music choices we would play. Now that I am doing better Bev isn't here every week like she was early on in the recovery of my injury. Now we look at our calendars and plan a day that we can rock out to music and learn some stories behind the most cherished hymns that we grew up on and grew to love. Today was one of our "Rockin' Out Days"; I love the time with her. I know these are memories that I will carry with me forever. 

I must get going now is time to make preparations for supper. 

Have a great day Moms!!

Good Evening! Hope you all have had a wonderful day.  I titled this "Grateful for my Family" because I am. I know simple right, but it goes so much deeper than that.  I recently went through an injury that had me laid up these last three months; it was a difficult journey. I not long into it started sensing things with my husband. I didn't know what to think. I would mention it to one of the beautiful ladies that came out to help me. They really touched my life, my husband's life, and our son's life in so many ways, on so many levels. I said I didn't know what to think about what I was sensing, feeling from my husband. I must say that God moved in such a way with him to touch me to my core. I say that because he made himself so vulnerable. I mean I could have hurt him so big, I mean big if I was that kind of woman. Thankful that God made me not that kind of woman, but a woman of great patience. I listened to his words that he shared with me, he said he had to disconnect himself from me, separate himself from what is going on around him, separate himself from watching me struggle to walk. He said that it crushed him, it hurt him deeply to see me that way. I was humbled by his words because they spoke to me so deeply. I cried my heart out to him even through my pain. I told him I loved him so much already, but I love him even more. We are even closer now that I am starting to come around from my injury.

I am not going to end the post here just quite yet. I must also include our son. I am so thankful for him. God really had me wait a long time for him. God knew the desire of my heart; that I wanted a child. God knew also that in 6th grade when we were asked to write a paper about what we thought our future families would be when we grew up and were married. I wrote in there that I wanted children, but I also asked God for a special needs child that I could love and nurture the way He would have me to do. I prayed that He'd give me the heart of a Mother for a special needs child. I prayed and watched, heard others and friends having babies around me. I remember saying "that should have been me;" I had shed so many tears in this time of waiting on God's timing. His wonderful timing that we are sometimes too quick to try to speed things up, but God still makes us wait. The time for me was fifteen years. I know that may seem like a super long time, but I am glad that God had me wait that long. He was making me be the mother I am today. Our son is such a wonderful young man. He is my special needs child that I prayed for and also shares the same bone disease with me; Osteogenesis Imperfecta. This is a speck in our lives it's not a part of us. You say, yes, yes it is. Hear me out, I said a speck in our lives because that's what it is. It's not a "part" of us meaning that when we meet someone we don't walk up and introduce ourselves and add on there "I have Osteogenesis,......"  We just don't do that and I have taught him that it is a piece of him that it doesn't identify him. Yes, his friends and others know he has it because they've been there with us through the infusions that we have to receive. I have received so many compliments from teachers, friends, family, and others about him. In fact, one teacher bragged on him because of his stepping up to ask if he could do his class project on his bone disease. She thought this was very big of him because he could have been ridiculed by classmates, put down, bullied, and others could be nice and accepting. I have to say that all his classmates have accepted him and they treat him like their other friends and will brag on him to me as well. She said he was very informed about the disease. He wasn't afraid to share about it; he explained about the anger that we deal with because of the continuous breaks with the bones. He even included in his project about my diagnosis after his. Mine being diagnosed as an adult; the teacher said you could hear a pin drop with the class. They waited eagerly for his next word. Then he told them how many fractures I've had. The sound they made, made the teacher laugh. He then told them how when he broke his elbow that after he fell and said "OW! My ARM!........Is my camera ok?" We got a good laugh when it happened. I told him we needed to get his arm fixed and we will find the camera. Our son is such a blessing. He and I have much time together and we enjoy one another. Yes, there are times when he may not be on his best behavior as is expected with children. I have a phrase that now I cannot finish without him interrupting. I have told him when he does he must tell me what it is. We then discuss his behavior and he then writes scripture out based on the behavior. I then have him write a prayer to God also about his behavior.  The phrase that I use with him during these times is the following, "When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences!" I haven't had to use it a lot, but it really hit deep with him the first time I used it that it didn't need to be used much.  I now can get "When.....(that's it) and it's "Mama, no, please, please don't finish it. I would reply, "Ok, I need you to tell me what my phrase is and what it means." Well, I have gone on for a bit. Go spend some time with your families. Thanks for stopping, feel free to leave a comment. 

Have a great day Moms!!

Good Evening, Moms!!! I pray that you're doing well. I am sure you're days are eventful; praying you are able to get some Mom time. I know when I do I cherish every second. 

When we are in a battle we sometimes can be confused, unsure, unable to discern and the list could go on. I will end it there though. I know when I am under attack I try not to be anxious, this is something that I am working on. I know that it will take time, but God is walking by my side through the battles. He's the calm in my storm. The verse that comes to mind for me referring back to being anxious is found in 1 Peter 5: 7 "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." I look at that verse "give all your worries" -- give all your anxieties to God, to God why? Why, because He cares about you!!! Don't let the anxiety take you over. Don't let it get you to say, "I can't do this, I am not strong enough..." You are strong enough, You have God by your side. He will walk this with you.

We as Moms go to battle for our children. When someone offends them or harms them in any way we are on the battlefield to protect our children. When someone offends or harms a family member same thing we are out there on the battlefield fighting for our family member to protect them.  We just want what is best. To be the best at fighting on that battlefield we need to be in our prayer closets, becoming, being the best prayer warrior God has. We also need to be out there on the battlefield being trained by God to fight against the attacks of the enemy. Are you ready to join God's Army, to be His Prayer Warrior?? 

Have a great day Moms!!

Morning Blessings to all of you wonderful Moms!!! This morning was a little challenging with rising from bed. My legs didn't want to work with me, but I took the time to thank God for waking me to have another day to spend with family and especially with Him. 

Once I was downstairs I got myself ready for the day. I then went to the living room to have my quality time with the Lord. I started by reading my morning devotional A Spectacle of Glory God's Light Shining through Me Every Day, by Joni Eareckson Tada. Today she wrote based on Ephesians 5:20. Paul tells us that we must be "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." For everything??? I have wrestled with these words, why, because there are things that I guess I keep to myself - this is futile because God already knows! The Bible tells us we're to give thanks, not only for the good stuff that happens in our lives but also for those hurtful, crushing, heartbreaking, out-of-control moments as well. He asks us to see life from His point of view. I look at this disease that my son and I have, the Osteogenesis days are challenging, but God gets us through. I think that He sees right now, right now how one day we will be healed and how the tears, the bruises, the setbacks and sorrows of this life have worked for the glory of His name. I spent time in prayer and I thanked the Lord for everything even for the Osteogenesis and the pain that have been my companions. Not that I like them, but God has a calling, a purpose for my life, for my son's life -- for that matter for your lives as well. We can endure whatever He allows touching our lives. He has our lives cupped in His hands and He loves us and He works every moment for the best and for His glory. 

Hoping to see a friend today. Not sure what they have planned for their day, God does. I will be spending some time in the Word and trying to do some therapy things. I pray that you have wonderful days, filled with the mighty blessings that God has for you!  Don't miss out on all the little and big things that God has to show you. I remember walking with our son when he was a lot younger. He said, "Mama, Mama, look at these tiny purple flowers!" I totally missed them why because I was in the "adult tunnel vision" - this is how we get as we grow up. We become focused on the things of life, things we have to do, what's next on our agenda. That day when we were walking my mind was on when we get back he will go down for a nap, I can get dinner started while he sleeps I can fold the laundry that's washed...and the list continues. When he said that simple phrase "...look at these tiny purple flowers!" Stopped me in my tracks!!! I looked down at him and said show me, baby. He showed me and they were what we consider weeds, but God created them for our enjoyment. I looked closer, then he picked one for me - they were so intricate.  The colors blended just perfectly. Now I pushed that "tunnel vision" to the wayside never to reintroduce. I look for all the tiny things that God created. When I see something new, or something I have seen even daily I still thank God for that blessing. I go for a walk (for therapy) I look for things asking God to show me what He wants me to learn or gain through the walk. I spend time talking to Him. No, I don't get funny looks from people that are around me if any because we don't have to speak out loud to God when we're outside, out in public unless we choose to. 

Thank You for stopping by and taking the time to read my post. Have a wonderful day!!

May God richly bless your lives,

Hi, Everyone!!! This is a new blog for me. I thought I'd get into writing from the heart of a Mother. I am a Mother to a very special, special needs child. My son has many challenges before him, but he hits them head on one at a time. I love him he's my precious gift from God. His special needs are as follows although I do not let these define him. He has Sensory Processing Disorder, Developmental Motor Coordination Disorder, Dyspraxia, Hypotonia, and Aspergers. 

There is one that he and I share together is Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The last one Osteogenesis Imperfecta we have a funny beginning. Our son was eight years old at the time, his school nurse told me that she thought our son was fracturing way too easily. She then recommended that we have him seen by his pediatrician. I set the appointment and we were off. We went they sent us out for an x-ray from his current injury than after we returned to discuss the next part of the protocol.  We were then directed to a nephrologist, a kidney disease, and transplantation physician. We were a bit more frightened now being directed here. How much more serious is this we thought. Well, we found out that Osteogenesis is a fatal disease. Now, the funny begins, yes you heard right "the funny". The doctor calls me over to where our son is on the table to take a look at his eyes. Our son speaks up and says, "My Mama's eyes are blue too." The doctor says, "That's nice, but I am talking about something different". Here comes our son back at the doctor; "Ok, but the whites of her eyes are blue too." Yes, he did just say that. Ooops! Bad idea here comes that little light, you know the one, the famous one that likes to blind you when the doctor says "let me look at your eyes". Yes, that one that one came at me quickly. The doctor told me to look up, look to the side, look to the other side, now look down. Yes, I think you have it too. You need to see your doctor as well. Here have your doctor run these tests on you. I took the list of tests that he wrote and took them to my doctor, sure enough, my doctor added more tests to that list. After eleven vials of blood and a bone density test, my doctor came back and told me that I too have Osteogenesis Imperfecta. This was difficult to accept all together at the same time. I felt overwhelmed. I didn't know if we were going to be ok. They told us that this is fatal. We have a bigger God who is in control. He has been with us throughout this journey. He's shown me ways to help our son understand the disease from his point of view, but also to teach him what it is like at an adult point of view. While some of you may disagree with doing things this way. This is a disease that he's going to live with for the rest of his life as am I. I wanted him to know from both points so that when he grows to adulthood he wouldn't have surprises in the waiting for him. I didn't think this was fair to do to him. I would want him to know and be comfortable when he got to this point. We are a team and now we do things together. He goes for infusions I go with him and spend endless hours and days at the hospital to be with him and he does the same with me. Not only do we have that special bond and Mother and son, but now even closer bond with our both having Osteogenesis Imperfecta. If the moment you're in is a blessing or a challenge, realize that you're alive and one day God will call you home. Take each moment and find the blessing within that challenge. I say that because with the OI this is something to find a blessing can be challenging. I must say that a friend of mine sent me a shirt that says the following,"I am an Osteogenesis Mom, just like a regular Mom, but only cooler". This may sound strange or may be taken in a wrong way. The way that my friend took this was that she looked at my personality and how I was taking the OI - she said this is so you - you are so positive and fun. The shirt to me I took as the "cooler" part is we always have something going ... friends have laughed when I break because I say something like "Oh, I just went snap, crackle, oops!" So now you can see that the shirt fits me. I appreciate your stopping by. I will let you go now- enjoy your day. May God be with you - spend some time with HIM.

Have a great day, Moms!