God Listens

If you ever think God doesn't care about every little thing in your life and heart- think again. I used to think it silly to bother God with the little things, but as I've grown in my faith, he's revealed the opposite to be true. All of the little things can add up to something really big when we let them. The good thing is if God knows every hair on our head, and the inner most part of our being, he cares about all of those little things indeed. I've been sort of down lately...just feeling a bit overwhelmed with life in general, and overcome with anxiety about all sorts of things. For various reasons, this has been the case, but it is the case none the less. I realized the other night, that I hadn't been praying as much, and may be that was my biggest problem. I also thought about how, when I did pray, I'd strictly prayed for others and not myself. I then began to ask God to take on all of the things that were making my everyday life stressful, and to let me feel his strength, his comfort...that he would give me the kind of peace he has given me before, once again. Amazingly, God came through, as he always does. He is constant and true at all times, and he loves me...what an incredible hope to hold on to. I start to feel guilty because there are so many people I want to pray for and so many situations to remember...then there is my regular family and friend requests, etc. It can be hard to know how to pray and what to say at times. I'm still learning, but God is helping me. Since that point, even with little sleep as Avery has been sick, I have felt renewed in spirit. It's as if he is filtering the way things go through my mind as not to cause worry and anxiety. He's letting me know that "every little thing is gonna be alright" as Bob Marley said. It's funny how he gives you these feelings and thoughts to strengthen you, and he also makes things happen to let you know that he is there and in control. One thing I'd been worried about was this whole CHH thing...just wondering what to do, where to do it, how to do it, and if it would even make a difference. In a day's time, Kathy Means contacted me with the shirt design she'd been working on, and our hospital social worker called to tell me of the needs she would like us to help out with. Do you see how he can speak to you? He was telling me that this was something he set out for me to do, and that it did matter, that I matter. I just feel revitalized now. Even if one person feels prayed for and special through this process, and especially if one person is able to feel the connection to God that I am able to feel, it will be totally worthwhile!
By the way, please see the CHH blog for new posts, as well as the new t-shirt design and Sharpie donation drive for Batson!
Love,
Meg

Avery Walking?!

I'm so excited, scared, and sad at the same time! My little munchkin is beginning to walk! Avery is taking several steps at a time. At first, she'd only take steps when we stood her up and were close enough for her to dive into our arms at the end. Now, however, she has begun to step away from whatever she has pulled up on, and walk away on her own. Everyone tells me that she'll probably be truly walking within a week or so, so we shall see!! Here is the youtube link to see her "pre-walking!"

http://www.youtube.com/user/megbeau2

Avery Update!

I can't believe my munchkin is now 14 months old! She is still a red-headed mess! I'm so glad Avery has such a fun and lively little personality. She is hilarious!
She likes to close her eyes when she smiles and show her teeth. She gives us a look and knod, as if to say 'Whassup?' Avery used to shake her head as if saying "NO" all the time, but these days, she bobs it up and down as if saying, "YES." She does this when we hand her foods she likes, in response to questions, and when she does random acts while playing or moving about the house. She still says "Daddy" all the time in several variations. She has also begun to say "Bobby," which we think is pretty funny. We often ask who Bobby is, and tell her we'd like to meet him.
Avery is still furniture walking and crawling at the moment. She has taken 2 steps to Jake, and 2 steps to me at different points in time, but once she realizes what's going on, she sits down! She is scared of walking!! On the other hand, I am scared of her walking too! When we hold her hands to walk her around, she RUNS!
She is eating much better now. I was really worried about the whole table food thing at first, but since a little time has passed, and we have seen a speech therapist for tips (and she told us nothing is wrong), things are looking up! Avery's favorites are still Chocolate Cheerios, Graduates Lil' Crunchies, graham crackers with Nutella, and the newest sensation, Craisins! She is still very hard headed at times, and will not eat but a bite or two, but take her to El Sombrero or Stix Hibachi, and she'll eat just about anything! As far as drinking, she will take certain sippy cups- none of the spill-proof though. She will drink milk, but is still hooked on the bottle. It is her pacifier, so this is going to be a tough habit to break. I admit, I was working harder on weaning her before school started back. Since then, I have not tried as much. I guess it's time to get her off the ba-ba for good!
She and her cousin, Cooper, finally noticed one another at this weekend's visit! It's going to be so much fun watching them grow and play together. GeGe also gave Avery her first hair cut this weekend. Avery didn't notice much while Daddy held her, Mommy took pics, and GeGe trimmed behind her! I save her little red hair for her keepsake box- don't worry! I'm hoping it will start to grow better now. With her Turner's Syndrome, She has a very low hair line in the back, so it looked like she had a little baby mullet going on back there! Haha, we're going to let it grow out now.
As far as health, Avery has been staying well these days. She did have a runny nose with some sinus junk a few weeks ago, but nothing serious. Her heart looked great at her last echo cardio app., so she won't see Dr. Ebeid for 6 months. We will go in to see Dr. Harmon and get a VCUG for her kidneys soon. We're hoping the reflux is now gone, and everything is functioning well. She hasn't had any problems, so I hope that's a good sign. Avery has been on Amoxicillin for the past year as a prophylactic to prevent infection, but I haven't been very diligent in giving it to her lately. I just hate her being on antibiotic all the time. If the reflux is still there, we will have to schedule a small procedure to get it taken care of. She will be going to her 15 month pediatrician app. next month- shots? Other than that, we go see our Geneticist and Endocrinologist soon for a check-up. She doesn't have to begin her GH shots until the summer, when she is 2.
We have been so blessed with Avery, and some times, I am just overcome with emotion when I look at her. She is a beautiful, happy, and healthy child- who could ask for more? For now, we can just be normal, and it's such a great feeling. A bit of rest until the next procedure or surgery, is a wonderful thing. God is good!

Just Some Pics...

Summer's End Brings New Beginnings

While I am, of course, enjoying my summer time off with my family, I am a bit ready to see what this new school year has in store for us. There is something refreshing about starting over each year with a new class and new possibilities. While it's very sad for me to leave my little munchkin each day for work, I can go knowing that I am helping other children, while providing good insurance for her and a second income for our family. I was worried for a while about how much the budget will affect us this year. With more students in the classroom, it makes it so hard to do what we need to do for these kids as individuals. I had around 25 last year, and will have 27 this year, but 'that's just the way it is', as the song goes. Teaching isn't the easiest job, but there are so many opportunities to just be a positive force in a young life each day. I think that is what keeps me going, when I am burned out, tired and frustrated with things. It makes all the hard work worth it when you see the impact you can have on a child, whether it is big or small. I try my best to see myself as a parent in the classroom, and to think about how I would handle things if it were my child sitting in that desk. I pray for my new group of students this year, that I will be what they need me to be, and that I will be patient when I don't feel like being patient. I hope I will be kind and understanding when I have reached my limits. I want to be who God created me to be for these kids. Whether I love it one day or hate it another, this is what I know I am supposed to be doing. So with all the ups and downs that will come with this year, I am looking up and having faith for the best outcome. So with the end of this summer, I am excited about the new beginnings this year will bring. Hopefully, we will make it through this year with a healthy family, and less struggle!
May God bless all of our school staff and students, and the surrounding schools and administration throughout this year...keeping us safe, helping and encouraging us to learn, and instilling within us all hearts of love for those around us.

Wear Lilac, Friday, July 30 for TS Awareness!

My Little-Big Girl

I am so excited that Avery has FINALLY begun to drink from a sippy cup! I can't tell you how many different kinds I have bought, and she doesn't want anything to do with any of them!! You see, after her last surgery, she began to shun her pacifier. I don't know if it had to do with being in the hospital and us always giving it to her for comfort when we couldn't hold her, etc., or if it had to do with teeth coming in the front of her mouth, etc., but she just cold-turkey gave it up. A lot of people said what a good thing it was for her to do that, but to me, not so much! First of all, her bottle became her new pacifier, so, instead of taking her paci in the night, she only wants a bottle. Also, I just liked being able to give it to her as a soothing item when she cried, etc. Any way, no paci, just bottle, so I am so happy she will now take a sippy cup! The speech therapist we went to gave us two cups- neither one are spill-proof mind you, but they work for Avery. Our speech therapist is actually against giving spill proof, bottle-like cups because she says they hold kids back from developing the way they should with eating, etc. So the one Avery likes is just an old-school, tubber-ware like cup. The only catch is they can be difficult to find these days. When you do find them, however, they are cheap, which is nice. Once she learns how to drink from a straw, which we are working on now, we will be able to use a spill-proof straw cup- so I will like the less mess version! For now, I am just thrilled to see her drinking from this cup!