Some More...Why Is It?!.....

Yesterday when I did my "Why is it?" post, I forgot to add the biggest one that I have been thinking about this summer. So, I'm back to ask, "Why?" But, before I ask about the one that I forgot, I have another one that was brought to my attention just today.

Why is it that Gavin has Down syndrome and heart defects?.....

This question to me caught me off guard. I was asked if it was something that I did or ate. I thought it was a crazy question at the time, because of course it had nothing to do with me! The more that I thought about it, I realized that people really are uneducated about those with Down syndrome, and I suppose that it's nobody's fault for not knowing why this happens.

The sad thing is, I've read that 90% of babies that are determined to POSSIBLY have Down syndrome are terminated by abortion! This figure BLOWS MY MIND! 90%!!! So, it's no wonder people aren't educated about these precious children! So many people don't care about them or even want them to begin with! This really breaks my heart!

The answer to why babies are born with Down syndrome is a question that I actually already know the answer to. It's the same reason that people get cancer, break their legs, hurt themselves, and have pain. All of this occurs because there is sin in this world!

God created this world to be perfect, but then Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Ever since that day, sin entered the world and so did suffering. This is why bad things happen! This is why Gavin was born with Down syndrome and heart defects. And, this is why we get sick and why this world is not perfect. There would be no knowledge of evil, if there were no sin in the first place! God made this clear and just like our children disobey us, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They had no reason to eat from this tree. They were given more than enough food, but they still did it. And, now this world is imperfect and so are we.

I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately. I had planned on blogging about it, but it's such a deep discussion and almost too complex for me to totally grasp. But, after being asked today's question, I think that it probably should be discussed. But, I'll leave that for another day!

I suppose my questions of "why?" can all be answered the same way. Because this world is imperfect. It's really quite simple, but yet so complex! AHHH! I'm getting a headache just thinking about all of this! So, on to lighter subjects for now, my other question of "Why is it?"

Why is it that during the school year I would, half the time, have to wake Gavin up to take the boys to school, but now that it is summer vacation and he can sleep in, HE WON'T! The little stinker is waking up early every morning! Today it was six o'clock, but other times this week it was 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock! He isn't crying or sad, he's just happy, loud and wants to play!


"What?! Did I wake you up? I thought it was morning."




"Well, since I have you up.....Let's Play!"



WHY?!?!?!

"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Genesis 2:16-17

"I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception." Genesis 3:16

"Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life." Genesis 3:17b

Why Is It?.....

Why is it that it is so difficult to cut Gavin's hair, and yet, it grows so fast?!



Why is it that Gavin makes me so happy?!




Why is it that the smell of coffee being made is such a wonderful aroma, but it tastes SO BAD?!


Why is it that these guys drive me to insanity, but I can't get enough of them and feel so sad when they aren't around?!




Why is it that even though most everything is running smoothly right now for our family, I can't help but feel like something bad is about to happen?

(I was never like this before Gavin came along. I suppose it's because he has been such a fragile child and difficult times have come along quite frequently since he's been in our lives. I HATE feeling like there is a cloud of doom hanging over me! I'm trying my hardest to not let it affect me emotionally, and thankfully I succeed in not letting it bring me down most of the time!)


Why is it that Gavin's sad face is so cute, and yet, so pitiful at the same time?




Just wondering..........?


"How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation." Daniel 4:3

A Fun-Filled Fourth of July!

We had a great 4th of July this year! The weather was perfect! We had dinner at our friend's house and then we went to a mini-festival and watched the fireworks. Here are some pictures of our day.

Caleb climbing the rockwall:



Nolan on the obstacle coarse:



Watching skydivers:



Our Family:



Jacob, Nolan and Caleb:



Gavin showing some patriotism:



Gavin playing with the American flag:



Gavin happy:



The 3 older boys waiting for the fireworks to start:



FIREWORKS:



Gavin fell asleep on my lap before the fireworks even started and he didn't wake up again until we got back to our car and put him in his carseat! I was worried that he wouldn't like the loud noise, but it didn't bother him one bit!

We hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July! Thank you to all that have fought to give our country the freedoms that we have! God Bless You and God Bless America!




"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Psalm 33:12

I'm A Big Boy Now!

Gavin's new equipment was delivered today. I am very happy with both pieces and think that they will both aid in his future development. I've decided that we need a bigger house now that we have them though! Either that, or an addition added with a room just for Gavin's equipment!

Here is his Tiger chair:



It is very versatile. It can be lowered all the way down to floor level or go as high as table level, like a highchair. It also reclines and tilts and has a tray for playtime or eating.

Here he is in his Squiggles stander:





Last time we had him in a stander, at his school, he hated it! But, he didn't mind this one at all. He was even smiling some of the time! (Maybe it's because he was at home in it? He always does better with things at home.) We were told to wait to use it until after we got his AFO's, because they would help support his legs and ankles better while in it. So, now I can't wait until we get the AFO's in 2 weeks! I'm excited to see what, if any, advances he will make with them.

I thought that Gavin looked so tall standing up! We never get to see him in this position, so it's fun to see him 'standing' as he should be at this age! He's still a little guy, but he's moving up in the world now!

"For by faith you stand." 2 Corinthians 1:24b

UFO's

Today Gavin had an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist. He went in to be casted for Ankle Foot Orthotics, also known as AFO's. The boys and I call them UFO's though, because it's more fun to call them by this name! Here is a picture of them casting Gavin's lower legs, to make a mold for fitting him with the right size:



He was NOT impressed with the whole process! He did fine for the first leg, but then decided that he had had enough! They had to lay him on his belly the whole time and they also had to stretch his ankles and feet into proper flexion (Joel says it's called dorsal flexion), which probably hurts him a little because he is so tight in his ankles. I didn't get pictures of him during, because I was too busy trying to comfort him. But trust me, he was mad! Poor guy!

The AFO's are for keeping his ankles in a good position. Right now he has his feet almost always pointed (Joel says this is called plantar flexion) and we don't want them to get 'stuck' in that postion. They will also be used to help support Gavin when he is in a stander. His stander is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I'm excited about this! I'm sure he won't like it, but I know that it will be good for him. I, on the other hand, am not looking forward to ANOTHER piece of equipment in our house for him! For a little guy, he takes up a lot of space!

Here is a picture of some AFO's, minus the straps that will be on them:



Here is Gavin after we got home. I laid him on his blanket on the floor, and he was out in minutes flat! I guess getting mad wore him out!



"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15