smiles

When Samuel was born, he was perfect.  He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz.  dark hair, rosy cheeks, adorable!  We were all in love the moment we met him!  He was doing good, just had reflux and was very irritable.  He gave out very limited smiles.

 I thought, he must just have a serious kind of personality.  Gracie and Annaleigh smiled all of the time, Gracie was even nicknamed "smiley", by a friend.  Whenever I wanted a picture of Samuel smiling I would work so hard to get it!  It might take an hour and 200 pictures, but I was determined!

 Well, I did not always get my smiling picture.  When he was almost 6 months old we realized there was more going on with his little body.  He could not control his movements, so it was hard for him to even smile.

(finally a quick grin!!!!)

(I remember this day, he got smiley when Tim came home and played with him and I took about 50 pictures)

(I usually just save the good one, but here is an example...I took about 200 literally)

This was so hard!  All I wanted, needed and desired from my sweet baby was a smile.  I guess that would let me know he was ok, not hurting, content.  

We would get nothing for days....but then it would come!  Oh, what rejoicing we had.  It was like the world would stop and we would soak it in.  It was like rain in the desert.  I would grab my camera and start snapping.  Sometime I would catch it, but mostly not.  Tim bought me a camera that I could hold down the button and it would just start snapping.  I would get one out of 100...literally.  But, that one is like gold!

Needless to say, God used my special child to teach me to be thankful for the smallest of things.  A smile, a giggle, a high five...these are things that are very special.  Samuel went through months with no smiles and then there would be a season of sweet grins.  And we treasure each one.

So be thankful for those sweet smiles that are given to you.  If their smiles were not there I know we would miss them.!

T.L.C.

Today I am thinking about the blessing of my husband.  15 years ago this week he asked me to be his bride! 

(this photo was taken at botanical gardens 2 years ago)

 He surprised me and took me to the Clemson Botanical Gardens.  He brought a picnic of my very favorite lasagna from Capris...which is now gone. :(  We walked around admiring the beautiful flowers and he found the perfect bench.  As he sat me down the thought crossed through my mind that he was about to propose, but I did not think he had talked to my daddy yet...and I thought it would be a while before Daddy was ready.  But, my heart flittered...he got down on his knee!  He asked me to be his wife and I accepted!!  

 Life has been a roller coaster from that moment on!  So many ups and downs, but I have always had this precious man by my side...through it all!  ALL, is alot of stuff, taking care of me while I was throwing up with pregnancy's, standing, literally beside as I had pacemaker surgery while pregnant with Gracie.  Another hard pregnancy, diabetes, special needs child, lots of doctor visits and specialist, 2 miscarriages, another hard pregnancy...those are the big things.

  The little things every day, like holding me when I cry, rocking Samuel for hours so he would go to sleep,  cooking a special meal with our girls, reading with Micah, etc....so many things that I cannot list.

God has given me an amazing partner on this journey of life and I am blessed beyond measure for this gift!!

I love you my TLC!!

Blessings

So many times I have overheard people see our family and whisper to their friend, "makes

me count my blessings".   I have four children.  Three are healthy and perfect in the eyes of the world. 

 Gracie is 11 and full of life and laughter.  She is a constant encourager. 

 She loves to read and is enjoying the Mandie series.

  Annaleigh is 10 and caring and kind.  She is always ready to help.  She loves playing games and littlest pet shop!

Micah is 3 and loving and energetic!  He loves playing Mario on the "weed" (wii) :)  He also  enjoys snuggles and any boyish activity.

  Samuel is 6 years old.  He loves holding hands, playing his eye gaze computer and playing with those he loves.

He, also, has special needs.  He has been diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder called Leigh's syndrome.  He cannot walk, talk or even hold his head up on his own.  He is fed through a feeding tube and cannot have anything by mouth anymore.  Life is full of ups and downs with Samuel, but he is most of the time precious and pleasant.   So when I hear people say this I want to say to them, "I do count my blessings and Samuel is one of the biggest blessings of my and my family's life!! "  He has taught us so much more than we could have ever imagined!  God has used him in so many ways!  So when I count my blessings all 4 of my children are at the top of my list!

One of my favorite verses is John 9:1-3

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

   ³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

I know that God is using Samuel that His works will be displayed.  I hope to share with you the blessings and trials we have through this blog. I also, ask for your prayers for Samuel, and our family as I share our journey with you!  blessings!!!