Happy Gavin = Happy Momma!

Gavin has been quite sick this week. I turn into one big anxiety ball when Gavin gets sick. I hate to see him feeling miserable! Plus, once you've spent time in the E.R. or in the hospital with your child on numerous occasions for just having the common cold, you tend to think the worst and dread what may come if he continues to worsen.

I've been so thankful and amazed at how healthy he's been this last year. But, he made up for it this week! With this illness he was starting to go downhill with his breathing and I was very worried he was heading towards hospitalization! (He shared his illness with me, so I have an idea how he felt.....Rotten.....I was struggling to breathe, so with his lungs already compromised by lung disease, it must have felt worse for him.) Thankfully, he turned the corner quickly, and is once again a happy, smiley boy!

See for yourself!


I love when my sweet boy is feeling well and happy! "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Bring the Rain

A few months ago the reality of caring for Gavin just hit me. I think it's when he suddenly grew a couple of inches and gained a few pounds. I realized that the future isn't going to change the fact that Gavin had a major stroke that killed off most of his brain, and he's most likely going to need to be carried around, and have all of his needs met by me forever. (Or as long as God blesses us with him in our lives.) Ever since this reality set in, I've been really struggling with this enormous responsibility. I've felt depressed, and even angry at times.....I just haven't been allowing myself to see the blessing that Gavin is.....something I've always been able to do in the past. Instead, I've felt a huge burden on my shoulders and it hasn't felt good at all!

This morning I heard a song on the radio after dropping the boys off at school. It's a song I've heard about 100 times, but this morning it really spoke to me. I sat in the car crying my eyes out and feeling such a sense of relief! I was, again, made aware of the fact that this world is NOT about me! I have been given this 'burden' for a reason........a reason that is way bigger than me!

I now feel refreshed, and ready to face my days with more gratitude! I hope to make this song my anthem in life.....and focus on the 'rainbows' that pop up with every 'storm' that comes my way!



"Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain"




"I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of the flesh." Genesis 9:13-15a

It Is Well With My Soul

We sang one of my favorite hymns in church this morning, and it's been on my heart all day long. I get tears, and sometimes even sobs, whenever we sing it. It always brings me back to the days when Gavin was an infant, and not doing well at all. We had several scares during those trying months in the hospital, and yet, each time I thought we were going to lose him, I had such a peace surrounding me.

The following song speaks of such peace. Thank You Lord!



1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)


Here is the hymn, and also the story behind the man who wrote the lyrics for the song. He wrote the song after suffering many horrific trials in his life.....and yet.....It was well with his soul!






"He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness For His name's sake." Psalm 23:3

It just hits me.....right in the heart!

A couple of weeks ago I read something that caused me to spiral into tears. This happens to me every month or so. I can be having a perfectly fine day, and then a thought enters my head and all the feelings, concerning Gavin and his lot in this life, begin to flow right out of me! I suppose it's a good thing to have the ability to release the emotions.....the emotions that tend to build up inside when caring for a child like Gavin.

At the time, I had just read a comment to someone else that was congratulating them on the birth of their child. Just a simple comment of, "Oh, he's just perfect!" That's all it took to open the flood gates of my soul!

It brought me back to the day Gavin was born, and the months following his birth.

I don't recall having anyone say such a comment to me after Gavin was born. And, looking back on those days, I felt a little cheated. These thoughts might seem quite silly, but that's what I was thinking at the time.

This got me thinking about God's creation. Look around you! His creation IS perfect! And, this includes Gavin as well! It includes everything He has made!









If you know someone who has a child similiar to Gavin, I ask that you tell them, "Congratulations!" Be happy around them, and for them! They might be fearful of the future, but they are still happy to have this child, and they still think their baby is perfect! Every baby is a gift from God, and the parents need to see your happiness for them, and to hear you tell them that their baby "is perfect". Trust me.....reaching out to them in this manner will mean so much to them! They will appreciate you more than you know!

This Momma certainly sees God's perfect creation when she looks at the pictures above of her sweet boy!

I am so thankful that God gave me, and all of us, the following verse to focus on! It always amazes me that He thought of everything we need to know, and shared it with us in His Word! What a source of comfort! What an awesome God!


"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:13-14

Spread the Word!

Today is "Spread the Word, to End the Word" day.

So, Gavin and I are spreading the word!





R-word | Spread the Word to End the Word


retarded defined:

(adj) underdeveloped, esp mentally, and esp having an IQ of 70 to 85.


Is this what you are saying about someone when you use the word retarded? Are you implying that they, or the something you are refering to, has an IQ at or below this level? Are you even aware of this person's IQ level?! Does that song, outfit, car, or whatever you are using this medical terminology to describe, even have an IQ?!

Gavin, all of his special friends, and I, ask that you think of us when you even consider using this word. Think of those who may not be as blessed as you are.....those who had no choice in whether or not they were born or became cognitively delayed. Think before you speak!

Gavin kindly thanks you!




"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14