Everyone has a bad day here and there. Any mother and father knows there are days when we think we will never survive another like this one. Kids screaming and fighting and other things go wrong like the roof leaking, a bill you can't pay, a fight with your spouse, an appliance goes up and we say " God doesn't give you more than you can handle". At that moment we think God must think we can handle a lot. Well...
This is a story about a family dear to my heart. Many years ago a young woman named Wendy started getting her hair done by me. We shared a mutual friend. She got married and had a beautiful baby girl named Rebecca. Like all married people they had a rough patch and then along came another perfect baby girl, Riley. The second of what became three girls. Riley was just as well behaved and easy as the first but over time things just didn't seem right. Turns out after many tests that Riley has Angelmans syndrome. Riley doesn't speak and it was a struggle to learn to walk along with many other things. Thankfully Wendy and her husband Jimmy were just blessed that Riley didn't suffer from the health problems that plagued so many with the same syndrome. Until.. the seizures started and then long stays at the hospital. Finally after trying many things Riley once again was healthy and thriving and more adventurous, even learning to roller skate with assistance. Wendy never let Riley's condition slow her down, never uses it as an excuse to stop enjoying life. She is definitely the root of the saying " When life throws you lemons, make lemonade. " Always upbeat even when her own health wasn't the greatest. Wendy takes her kids to the beach, they play sports, she takes them in the pool. She is just a great mom with three great kids.
A few days ago while unpacking from a beach trip Riley wandered off and fell in the pool. Wendy found her just a couple minutes later and along with her oldest daughter performed CPR and Riley is on a ventilator at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Imagine how a parent must feel. This was a horrible accident that happened to good people. I am sure this leaves this family wondering... why them??? Haven't they been handed enough to deal with, enough for a lifetime?
I beg you to keep Riley in your prayers. Pray for this family to stay together whole here on earth. And also the next time you have a bad day remember this story. Don't think about it as being luckier than them. Think about the strength, love and courage they have and strive to have the same in your own lives.
God Bless Jimmy, Wendy, Becca, Riley and Mackensie King
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Camping and cats
Every day of my life is blog worthy. I just run out of time to write daily. It's actually quite a shame because funny things happen everyday around here.
For the first time in quite awhile Joey and I had 5 days together with the kids camping. We had a great time once he stopped complaining about all the things I do wrong. See Anal Annie (aka Joey) thinks that the kids shouldn't break anything or dirty up anything. I think that only happens if you have a normal amount of children and I am thinking that only reduces the odds slightly. I am not sure why he thinks that the trailer would fare better than the house and all the broken furniture and clutter around here. However we truly had a great time and I am reminded how much I miss him on a daily basis. The kids hit some milestones and it was nice that Joey got to see them. Violet stopped giving everyone dirty looks and started talking and just telling everyone what she thinks of them. Charlotte is swimming without swim aids. (maybe now she will finally get big enough to give up the ninny) Oh and lets not forget the proud moment once we got home when Violet took off her diaper and pooped in the yard like a dog. I am so glad Joey didn't miss that moment. Also Sadie broke Joey down and he gave in to a new kitten.
We promised the kids a kitten and we made good on that. Yesterday we took all my kids plus 2 extras to animal control. We are quite a loud crew so I am not surprised that a cat got spooked and scratched Aaron. (always Aaron who gets hurt) Poor cat got quarantined and we had to file a report with the county. Really!!! Well we adopted a cute little kitten and then I got myself a discount kitty($16). A nice one eyed older cat with a crooked tail. Joey didn't have to tell me twice that I could go back and save the ugly cat.(He will never say but he wanted him too) I am thinking this is his ninth life so lets hope he doesn't think the needle would've been better than spending his days in this crazy house.
Just for informational purposes.... There are lots of cats needing good homes at animal control. Many are free because the people who gave them up prepaid for them to go to a new home. If you have room in your heart and home try one.. Discount kitties are pretty grateful to have you.
For the first time in quite awhile Joey and I had 5 days together with the kids camping. We had a great time once he stopped complaining about all the things I do wrong. See Anal Annie (aka Joey) thinks that the kids shouldn't break anything or dirty up anything. I think that only happens if you have a normal amount of children and I am thinking that only reduces the odds slightly. I am not sure why he thinks that the trailer would fare better than the house and all the broken furniture and clutter around here. However we truly had a great time and I am reminded how much I miss him on a daily basis. The kids hit some milestones and it was nice that Joey got to see them. Violet stopped giving everyone dirty looks and started talking and just telling everyone what she thinks of them. Charlotte is swimming without swim aids. (maybe now she will finally get big enough to give up the ninny) Oh and lets not forget the proud moment once we got home when Violet took off her diaper and pooped in the yard like a dog. I am so glad Joey didn't miss that moment. Also Sadie broke Joey down and he gave in to a new kitten.
We promised the kids a kitten and we made good on that. Yesterday we took all my kids plus 2 extras to animal control. We are quite a loud crew so I am not surprised that a cat got spooked and scratched Aaron. (always Aaron who gets hurt) Poor cat got quarantined and we had to file a report with the county. Really!!! Well we adopted a cute little kitten and then I got myself a discount kitty($16). A nice one eyed older cat with a crooked tail. Joey didn't have to tell me twice that I could go back and save the ugly cat.(He will never say but he wanted him too) I am thinking this is his ninth life so lets hope he doesn't think the needle would've been better than spending his days in this crazy house.
Just for informational purposes.... There are lots of cats needing good homes at animal control. Many are free because the people who gave them up prepaid for them to go to a new home. If you have room in your heart and home try one.. Discount kitties are pretty grateful to have you.
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