Anthony turns 18!!

I remember the day all too well. Contractions started December 3rd early in the morning, shortly after midnight I was driven to the hospital, it turned out to be a long night, the sun rose and still no baby. I'll never forget the relief I felt when the anesthesiologist FINALLY made it my way with his supplies to help me feel better. A long morning turned into a long day and I ended up having a cesarean section. I never did learn the gender of my baby-by choice. I wanted to be surprised, however, I must confess that I was wishing for a boy. Chris was graduating from AIT that same day, he flew in from Baltimore, MD and checked in at Fort Hood where he would be stationed.

Christopher Anthony Mortin was born December 4, 1992 at 4:33 pm. The journey has been much too short, but I've enjoyed the privilege of being his mom and the great "mommy" memories he has given me, and the ones I've yet to experience. He's 18 now and while I will always be his mom, my role will shift from being nurturing to supporting. Don't get me wrong, there will always be hugs and kisses, but nurturing a son who is 3 years old has different needs from an 18 year old.

It's been a great family day with you Anthony, just like old times. Happy Birthday Anthony, dad and I love and respect you and are proud of the young man you are. As you walk with God, time and experience will mold you into the man God destined you to be. With love, Mom & Dad.

Is December really here??

Wow, December has officially arrived! The days are like a rushing wind. But while the days are busy, I did want to take some time to share how grateful I am for my family and how humble I am with Gods Hand being with us. Earlier this year, we experienced our first lay off, I will never forget that "after work" phone call. I know God has many names, but I actually had the humble privilege to know Him as "Sustainer". And although Thanksgiving is behind us, I strive to be thankful, because it's that thankful attitude that really makes the difference on a daily basis! Without Him I am nothing, and even at times I may be struck down can not be destroyed because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. So thankful for where this 2010 year has taken us and thankful for where we are today! So thankful for His wisdom and His Spirit, His grace and His mercy, and of course His guidance as I continue my growth as a wife, as a mother and as a servant. (And yes, Chris is back at work and I must also share that he's only been with the company 9 months and has already rose to a new challenge within the company!)

There has been quite a bit of change in the past months, but probably the most recent is that we've welcomed a little one into our home, it's a boy! I am enjoying my family, Anthony and Anna are coming upon 2 years of dating, Anthony is READY to graduate, as for the rest of us, we are well!!

"Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Is. 43:18-19

New Beginnings

Summer break has come and gone with the first day of school well under way. The last few days have brought "new beginnings" to our family. Anthony is now a senior in high school and it occurred to me on that Thursday morning of that first day of the new school year, I had that silent conversation in my head as I was helping the kids preparing for the big day, 'that this would be my last "first day" of school with Anthony.' Yes, he may have a first day in college sometime in the future, but as far as grade school goes, this is it!! A sad and exciting reality for me. I did have success in snapping a shot of Anthony and Mariah before heading out the door, I wanted to take more, but in dealing with a teenager...... I didn't want to "over" do it.

Anthony the "Senior"/ Mariah goes to 7th

Anthony driving away to school...

As I continued my conversation with myself, it also occurred to me that if Mariah was an average girl, that she and Anthony would be attending the same school for the first time since he was in the 1st grade and she was enrolled in early learning for special needs, she was just 4 years old!! Wow, I want to burst into tears now, where did the time go?? Looking back now, at that time I could have never know what challenges faced us and our little Mariah. She has proved to be one of the strongest individuals I have ever known, I am not speaking of the physical strength, but of inner strength and will.
Oh, before I forget.....Mariah is now saying 2 words!!! (when she wants to that is...). One afternoon, I heard her say "bye truck", she saw a truck driving by and just wanted to say "bye truck", to me it was AWESOME and immediately had to share that with her speech therapist!! THAT'S BIG NEWS! Saying all that, I am thankful for this new school year and am looking forward to great progress in Mariah's learning. She has a great team of players working with her. Together we can overcome some of those obstacles, I am confident in that.


Me & Mariah........

Finally, I've got one more who had a big day. Tate started "The Beginners" Sunday School Class, I am very excited about him participating and learning about Jesus! It was a big day for me too to be honest, it's bittersweet. Life is moving right along, it stops for no one, so jump on board and enjoy the moments.

Tate's first day of "Beginners" Sunday School


Ms. Kim with Tate showing off his "cross"
Well done!

Remember to love the Lord your God and enjoy your families because those are the greatest treasures we can ever have.

A "Special" Rodeo Time

Every July, a very special and dedicated organization, "Arkansas Support Network" and the folks at Parsons Rodeo Grounds hosts a special time just for families with children of special needs. By the way, ASN is an awesome resource for families who have children with disabilities. Anywho, the kids rode horses, got to pet the animals, there were balloons, pizza & drinks for everyone and of course, let's not forget, the carriage ride!

There were familiar faces, faces of parents I see on a weekly basis making their kids' speech, OT, & PT sessions at the therapy clinic, as well as Mariahs' past schoolmates, although she couldn't say much, her expression said, "I remember you".

As we waited in line, I noticed how everything was at a much slower pace. You see, children like ours need extra time to move and get around. Parents were patient and willing to pitch in to help load and unload kids who had to be placed in & out of their wheelchair, it was as if we were a team which made this outing extra GREAT! The kids had a fun time, parents (and grandparents) were taking pictures as if this was their childs first birthday! Lots of smiles everywhere and in the background you could hear--"look at the camera, look at the camera!"

By what I observed and of course my own experience, I sensed that this was one of the few events we can take our kids that was specific to their needs, because not everywhere can you get that kind of spirit and support. Although, I only knew a few people there, I felt like I knew them all because I can relate to the hardship of having a special needs child, don't get me wrong, Mariah is like a ray of light, but total caretaking can have it's toll on a person. I'd like to share what a special woman who attends our church shared with me (she had been praying for me) and it really touched my heart. In a card, she wrote "The care you give to your daughter, I'm sure has a very special place in God's heart". Those words have literally "fueled" my days and were needed at a time when I really needed it most, for I had never thought about it that way.

So if you have a loved one you are caring for (I am not just speaking of special needs children here), whether it be a spouse, parent, child or a sibling, I pass these words along to you my friend --"The care you give to your loved one, know that your act has a special place in God's heart!"

Welcome 2010!

Here we are in yet another new year. Do I really need to say, "My how the time flies?". It was a great 2009, of course, we had our trials, individually and some as a family, but we had our triumphs too, I am thankful because it is in those times, good and bad, that we grow as a family and as a person.
While driving the other day, I was reflecting and realized that it has been 10 years that I left the work place to be a stay at home mom, I couldn't help but tear up, my time with them has been precious and priceless, I couldn't have given them a greater gift and to myself for that matter. It has been a financial sacrifice but we wouldn't have it any other way. What a blessing!! So what is going on with our family now. Well, Chris and I are embarking our 17th anniversay. We continue our walk with God and have great expectations for our youth group whom we love dearly. Chris continues to workout, still plays the drums for the praise and worship team at church, and I really appreciate all that he does and not just what he does around the house (or cars) or even his role as "father", but as a godly leader of our home. I enjoy our Saturday mornings, when we can just enjoy coffee, each others company and Gods Word, without the normal rushes of weekday routine. God has done a great work in us. As for me, I keep busy running this house, and now taking the time to get some extra pounds off. I have lost 11.5 since March, I have returned to my pre-pregnancy weight! Now, I am challenged to lose another 13 pounds and I WILL get there!!

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." So what else is going on? Well, let's see...........

Anthony is now 17!! He is a junior in high school, and is officially driving. I am not as nervous as I was before, but there are still some "control" issues I have. He has a girlfriend, Anna, whom he met in church, they are coming on their one-year anniversay. He is still hanging a job at McDonalds, and is returning to high school football for his senior year. He played his 9th and 10th grade year, but took a break this year to play basketball. Senior preparations are already underway, I got the "senior ring" catalog in yesterday, I am feeling a bit emotional, but in a good way!!

Alright, who's next? Ah yes, it is ...............

Mariah, she is 14 and a half!! She is still a "half-pint" and weighing in at a "whopping "67 pounds!! Mariah is good, still battling epilepsy, but we are perservering. She takes her meds and supplements, we also have her on a gluten-free, casein free diet, and I believe the combination has helped her. She is in school, we have outside speech, physical and occupational therapy twice a week at an awesome childrens therapy facility. We are in the process of programming a "Go-
Talk" device to help her communication needs, I am really looking forward to that. She has the "teen blues" from time to time that we have to deal with, some days are just sooooooo dramatic. Her fav's are still blues clues, riding the bus and playing alone. I literally have to make her be around us (are we that bad Mariah??) but before bedtime I do allow her to have her alone time with toys and books, I know she needs that! Okay, who's next?...........

Tate! He is full blown "Mr. Toddler"! He is every bit of 2 (well 2&4mons). He is really picking up on words and being very expressive. He is busy, wants to be on the go any time the front door is opened, he is playing with cars and has discovered a past time favorite 'Toy Story'. It was new when Anthony was just a boy, so it is nice to see that fascination with 'Toy Story' again.
We enjoy our grocery shopping day, especially our visit to Ozark Natural Foods, that's the place I shop for Mariahs gluten free foods, anyway, Tate is part of the kids club there and he gets a surprise treat at each visit, keeps him busy while I get the shopping done.

All in all, we are well and just busy being a family. I hope everyone is well, and perhaps will start your own blog this year. May you and your family have a blessed 2010!

"Short term goals=mini victories=mini battles=war won!!"