He's more than you see.

It really saddens me knowing that others don't see Gavin for all that he is. Sure, there are people who realize all that he is worth, but for the most part I think that Gavin is just seen as a boy who is sick and unable to do anything. This is so far from the truth in my eyes!



I wish that more people could see Gavin like I see him. When we are away from home Gavin does not act himself. He prefers to be at home and he comes alive when we are at home. So many people don't get to see Gavin in his true form. This makes me sad. I see the looks that people give him and me. I see the pity. I sense the uncomfortableness. I understand it, but I don't like it!



But, most people don't get to see the real Gavin. And, most people don't take the time to get to know the real Gavin. He may be severely delayed, but he isn't absent. He may appear to not know what's going on, and he may appear to have no purpose in life, but this is far from the truth!

Gavin has feelings and he shows them to us. He smiles when he hears familiar voices or when people talk to him nicely. He gets really excited when his brothers come into the room. He starts "talking" when the phone rings. He "sings" when we sing in church. He cries when he is lonely. He even acts goofy sometimes and he even has a little bit of a naughty streak in him! He initiates and gives me the best kisses that I have ever received! He comes alive when he hears his Momma's voice or the silly songs that I sing to him. He brings more joy to our family than anyone ever could!



I was recently commended for being such a good Momma to Gavin. I was given a "pat on the back" for not showing resentment towards him. This actually shocked me! Why would I have resentment towards this precious boy?! He did nothing to deserve any of this! Not to mention, he has actually made my life better, just by being here! Sure, life is more complicated and I can't do everything that I would like to do, but my life is definitely more full than it was before I had him. Sometimes I even think to myself, "Why was I given this amazing gift?! Why me?!" I have something that so many others will never have and God actually trusted me with this wonderful gift!

There are days that I wish that Gavin could do a WHOLE LOT more, but there is never a day that I think that life would be better without him.....NEVER! I wish that people could see the true Gavin, like I see him. Unfortunately, some will never take the time to see Gavin for what he really is. And, even more unfortunate, many will never take the time or be able to see God for What and Who He really is either! I find both of these truths to be very sad.


"But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17

Flying High

Yesterday Joel took a day of vacation and we took the boys on an outing. We went to the:



We had a great time and the boys LOVED it! Joel and I loved it too, because it was FREE! They have a special running through the summer. It's free to be admitted and you just have to pay $2 per ticket for the rides. There are about 8 rides/experiences and we told the boys that they could each pick 2 to go on. They had a blast!

If any of you live in the West Michigan area, you should try to go this summer. It is so fun and so worth it since it's free! Here are some pictures of our day.












They even had little planes that were Gavin's size! :)




Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!!!

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest." Psalm 55:6
"As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me." Psalm 55:16

The UFO's Have Arrived!

Gavin's Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFO's), or as we like to call them UFO's, are here! We went in yesterday to have him fit for them and to take them home. He is very stiff in the ankles, so it's kind of a chore to put them on and he doesn't enjoy the process, but once they are on he is tolerating them.



On the other hand, he is NOT tolerating them on while in his stander!



Poor baby! I tried him out in it close to bedtime lastnight, so I'm hoping this is why he was so sad/mad about it! We'll try again today and hopefully he'll approve!

In other news, Gavin has been having possible seizures again. This started a few days ago. The movements are unlike the seizures he used to have, but it's a new thing that is worrisome. Before this started, he hadn't had seizures for about a year and a half. So, I'm a little worried and discouraged!

The seizures that he used to have would be rythmic in nature and he would extend his arms out and back in in a jerking motion. He would also deviate his eyes and appear to be somewhat "out of it." This would last about 3 minutes. Then he would sometimes cry after having them and seem sleepy or go to sleep after having one.

The movements that he is having now only last for 1-3 seconds and there is only one movement involved. He starts out looking somewhat surprised by something and then his arms extend outwards and become stiff. He sometimes makes a grunting noise while doing this. Afterwards he actually smiles and appears as if nothing has happened. And, he remains "with it" throughout and afterwards.

He does have spasms or clonus daily, and I don't know if this is another form of them or if he is indeed having seizures again. His neurologist wants him to have a repeat EEG since this is something new for Gavin. Gavin and I are NOT happy about having to do another EEG! He and I HATE going in for these! I have to try to keep him awake for half the night before the procedure and they have to put all these sticky probes all over his head and wrap his head up, then he's supposed to go to sleep while they are testing his brain waves. It is SO NOT fun and such a hastle! And, Gavin usually cries and doesn't cooperate with the falling asleep during the test part. UGH!

I pray that he is not having seizures again! I hated watching him have these! Plus, this would mean that his medication would have to be increased and this makes him more sedated. He is just now beginning to be more active and alert and I don't want to have him so groggy again on a daily basis! Please pray that these will turn out to be nothing big and that he won't have to be drugged up so much again!

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." Psalm 37:3

Check This Out!

There is a park near our home, that was made to be accessible for children with handicaps. Before having Gavin I thought it was a great park and that it was a wonderful thing to have. Now that I have Gavin, it means even more to me! There are so many places that are difficult to go to when you have a child in a stroller or wheelchair. It's heartwarming to know that there are people out there trying to make fun a little bit easier for those who can't always share in the fun.














All of our boys enjoy going here. I'm not sure how much Gavin gets out of the experience, but I love knowing that it's there for him. Plus, it provides stimulation for him, which is a great thing. During the flu season we are stuck inside so much, that he gets a little frightened being out in the world. It's so important to get him out during the summer months, to get him used to things and to stimulate his brain and senses.

Isn't this a wonderful place to do this?! There should be more places like this! Do you know of any other resources like this?

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." Isaiah 40:29

Much Better!

Do you remember this picture?



This was taken before Gavin got a haircut this weekend.

It was definitely time for a haircut! I have usually cut Gavin's hair myself, but it's getting harder to do on my own because I lay him on the floor to cut it and he's more active now, so it's a real struggle to get it done. I decided to take him in to get it cut this time.

Here he is before, waiting to get his hair cut.



Here he is getting his hair cut. I held him on my lap and this worked out quite well, until she got out the trimmer at least! He DID NOT like this noise at all!





Here he is afterwards, all smiles and looking cute!



MUCH BETTER, don't you think?!



And, here he is sporting the Jaxson style.



He doesn't look quite as cool as Jax does, but Caleb wanted me to try it out. It's so funny because lately Caleb pretends to be Jaxson so that Gavin can "play" with his friend that lives many miles away. I think Caleb has a thing for Jax, and it's so cute that he pretends to be him just so Gavin can pretend to play with him!



Have a great day! :)


"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24