Happily Ever After . . .

Fourteen years ago tonight, we never dreamed of being where we are today❤️.

Our Wedding Day - 8/2/2002

On this day, I've literally driven all around town from appointment to appointment, visited pharmacies and several grocery stores. I've been on the phone with doctors and nurses and purchased diapers and pj's for our almost 5yo little angel. Instead of a big celebration or romantic getaway, we are saving to hopefully make an NKH conference and PANDAS conference this fall. We're spending the evening as a little family, eating take-out, and it's wonderful❤️. Our anniversary has been a typical day in the life of a special-needs family and one I will treasure in my heart.

A Few Months Before Our Wedding

Fourteen years ago, we never thought we'd have an 8yo who feels his job is "seizure watch" for his sister, while his 12yo older brother takes pride in pushing his sister around everywhere we go, despite the stares.

Our boys know how to tube feed and have spent enough time in the hospital that they know to ask for "a big room", and they know which foods to eat in the cafeteria. They carry so much on their shoulders, but their shoulders are broad - just like their Daddy💙.

Dating - 2001

We never would have guessed that we would be thrown into the world of special needs or that God would give us a family mission through two beautiful daughters that He would entrust to us for but a short time on earth💖. We had no idea how much we would learn medically, relationally and spiritually through these Two Loves. Our Girls have made THE lasting mark on our Family - Reckless Love to ALL💚.

God has continued to provide spiritually, financially, emotionally, and in every other possible way. He has taught us just HOW FAITHFUL He truly is! What an honor it is to be a family that gets to show God's faithfulness, goodness and glory💜!  Thank you, Father.  

Even though this life isn't anything like we planned - it is a GOOD life.

How could we ever ask for more?

Michael McLaughlin, I adore you. Thank you for choosing me that day fourteen years ago and for choosing me every day since.

💞

.You continually amaze me with your faithfulness, kindness and laughter and I wouldn't want to walk this journey with anyone but you! I am yours in sickness and in health, for ETERNITY!!

Mike's Anniversary Card for me - waiting patiently on the fridge

You continually amaze me with your faithfulness, kindness and laughter and I wouldn't want to walk this journey with anyone but you! I am yours in sickness and in health, for ETERNITY!!

💖💖💖😍😍😍😘😘😘💘💘

Out of the Bubble

God's Beautiful Promises

It seems as though our family is coming out of the Bubble that has held us for so long.  Maybe I should say that it is partially coming off of us, or we are partially stepping out of it.  I am sure that many of you are tired of hearing about the struggles and issues we've dealt with, but it's just our life. The scales are falling off, and the load is getting lighter, and I'm pretty excited about it.  

Last weekend, we attended an anniversary party for our church, Bridgeway Church.  Mike and I have attended this Precious Body since we were dating - thirteen years ago!  It was so fun to see so many faces and to also be reminded of God's faithfulness.  However, Mike was a bit sad when we left the party.  He said that there are so many people that have loved on us and have prayed for us for SO long, and he doesn't know very many of them well.  I am completely convinced that it is because of the Bubble we've been in, and it saddens my heart.  

I don't pretend to know what it's like to go through many different "survival mode" situations.  But, I do know what's it like to feel that you have been given a burden that you don't feel prepared for; to feel as though you are trapped and that your dreams have been trampled.  I know what's its like to lose my Precious Daughter and to hurt more deeply than I ever thought possible.  I also know what it's like to choose each day to love Lucy like there is no tomorrow, because there truly may not be.  To struggle spiritually, financially, socially, mentally, physically over your family, your marriage, health, and everything in between; to have felt so deeply and disparingly that you don't know if you can return to "normal", or what you hoped would be your normal.  

So now, there is this new freedom that we are feeling as a family and as a couple . . . we are trying out new adventures with our kids, spending extra special time with the boys, going on date nights and focusing on our marriage.  We've been able to host friends from out of town and even plan a few short trips this summer to see family.  These are all things that we haven't been able to do before.  We just haven't been in a place to do this in so long and it feels so good!  

The Kids with Paul Archibald, our Son from Boston!

Boys Being Boys

Sweet Memories

Henry the Hobbit

Family walks and baby-wearing!

Jesus has set us free, and we are learning to live in that freedom again.  Being free and FEELING free are both amazing things, and I'm so grateful, so hopeful, so excited to slowly be tipping my toes into the freedom that God is reintroducing to our lives . . .

Ryan