Hope & Faith

Dear Marisa and Ethan,

Oh my goodness...I guess it's true that good things come to those who wait!  After running around all day today, my children and I went to pick my husband up from work.  It's rare that I allow my children to stay out late, especially, on a school night but having one mode of transportation is really difficult.  Maybe it's just my excuse to have us all together.  Imagine if we were not together, we would have missed this awe-inspiring day.

My precious son said "eat".  My daughter, my husband and I laughed because every time we pick up my husband, it never fails that my son will ask to eat.  Since we were next to Costco, I asked if he wanted a pizza or a hot dog...not too great of a selection since every time this little boy asks to eat, I will react quickly.  He responded by saying “pizza”.  

Without a blink, he looked at his father and said "daddy I want to eat pizza".  I freaked of course and began my celebratory hugs and kisses towards my baby boy while my daughter shrieked with happiness to hear these precious words coming out of her brother's mouth.  My husband was stunned but cried out with pride telling his son that he was going to get him his pizza!  It was perfect.  I repeated to my family for them not to forget this moment 12/11/2012 at 6:03 PM in front of Costco in Fairfax, Virginia.

My cup runneth over

My dearest Marisa and Ethan,

Always remember that no matter where we are or what we are doing, Thanksgiving is never complete without our loved one.  This year is no exception!   I'm always thankful to our Heavenly Father for watching over you two and for surrounding you both with people who loves you.    

Although Ethan spent the entire Thanksgiving Day (3:00 am til 2:00 pm) in the ER & was going to be admitted into the hospital...Heavenly Father heard mommy's prayer and breathe strength into Ethan.    The difference was night and day for Ethan!

After spending almost 12 hours in the hospital and another 5 hours driving back home, we were so thankful to be with our family especially when my sister-in-law out done herself this year. 

                   With these folks, my cup runneth over!  Thank you for making this day even more special.

♪♫♪♫♪♫ happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you ♪♫♪♫♪♫

Being a part of something special eventually defined how worthy I feel as a person...thank you my dear baby for making our lives so deeply blessed!

Fall in love with autumn

 

My favorite time of the year where no matter what's going on, nature's showcase of vivid colors seems to just put me in a great mood.  Even the smell of autumn brings forth a promise…a new hope that no matter what has happened in the past or is happening in the world that life is full of surprises, opportunities, miracles and unconditional love. 

I met a lady who gave such a great advice about being happy.  She said that although we are limited in that we can’t change others or events, what we can do is rely on the fact that we will have to answer for our actions and choices when we reached Heaven’s gate.  She said that the only way that we can be happy is to do what is right.  

So, what is right to me is to be the example that I can be proud of.  I have to nurture and teach my children to become responsible, strong, and loving folks.  I hope for them to not waver on their standards and to empathize with those whom others’ have forgotten.  I hope for them to see the beauty in this world and always feel that with God, all things are possible.

Random thought - Just Do It!

My dearest Marisa and Ethan,

Friday, 6/22/2012:       I think mommy has too much time on mommy's hands if I can sit here & watch the clock ticking by.  It's the start of another hot summer day, which makes it really hard to get a jump start on the day.  HOWEVER, when you get to be my age, you will want to take in every moment that you have to do what you want to do.  Even if you don't have any idea on what you want to do for the day, sometimes the best thing in life is the "unplanned" stuff just like yesterday!

Daddy decided to make his work day short.  He came home & spent the rest of the hot summer day with us.  It was really funny when all four of us lay laughing in the bed while Ethan tried to decide on which "middle" he wanted to take.   Your brother was quite smart when he decided to squeeze on top of you to be smack in the middle.  Marisa, do you remember how you've always said that being in between mommy and daddy was YOUR spot?  I love watching how you and Ethan try really hard to be THE one in between mommy and daddy.  Hearing you, daddy & your brother laugh just made my day!  Although it was hard to leave the comfort of an air conditioned home, we ventured out to make more memories.  It started out with you driving for once while we are all together!  Daddy sat in the back with Ethan & mommy was your guide.  Without a plan of where to go or what to do, you just drove.

Our 1^st stop was Chick-fil-A for your cookies & cream milk shake & Ethan’s French fries.  Daddy did not get a treat since he had fallen asleep.  When he finally woke up, we were in Manassas on our way to Potomac Mills.  He asked if we were near a Chick-fil-A.  Ahem, you snooze, so you lose!  Daddy asked how could anybody sleep with mommy talking non-stop.  Hey, I was giving directions & keeping Ethan company…. He mimicked mommy’s directions “100 lights from now, you have to take a right & make sure when you have a chance to move to the right lane to do so & oh did you give a signal so that you could move to this lane & do you want some French fries, mommy can get them for you, don’t be too close to the other car”…what the heck?  Me?  A back seat driver?  Not a chance…it’s difficult to have you or your daddy drive because I’m always the person to give directions.  It would be super when you are able to familiarize yourself with the area…now, if only I can get your daddy to do the same.

Random thought ~ Oh yes, I love it when mommy pick a piece of clothing for you to try on; you would always hesitate & at times would say “no”.  I’m not too old that my taste in clothes is not up to par!  But oh, to have your daddy picked the same outfit for you to try on; you would gleam from ear to ear.  What’s up with that?  

You know what though; I am extremely happy that you are that close to your daddy.  I remember what it was like to believe that your daddy is the entire world to you.  This helps to remind me of how much I loved & adored my daddy too.  Although he passed away since I was ten years old, I still remember the feelings that I had experienced when my daddy was around.  Watching you & daddy has really helped mommy to continue to have such fond memories of your grandfather.  Thank you!

I guess driving around town doesn’t bother your daddy much when he knows that it’s for you.  From Woodbridge, we ended up at the Eden Center in Falls Church.  We just had to finish off the day with bubble drinks.  By the time we returned home, your brother had had an hour nap before his bedtime & mommy ended up having to stay up with him until two am when he finally was ready to go to bed!

The point of this message, my darlings is that sometimes you just can’t plan life…just do it and see where life will take you!

Blog Hop: Say Cheese!

Dearest Marisa and Ethan,

Darlings, mommy’s been feeling that the past four years we’ve have been living in a bubble.  For the longest time, I felt that we were the only family living with special circumstances.  There were moments where mommy felt an overwhelming fear that tomorrow would never come.   I felt that smiles would never come after moments when you guys get so sick.  It’s a bit scary (although, mommy may not have looked scared) when you guys are not feeling well.  It is in that moment that mommy needed to have faith & hope that our Heavenly Father would carry you both and all that mommy needed to do was pray.

When mommy started writing this blog, it was one of the avenues that mommy felt would capture mommy’s thoughts & feelings and hope that one day, you two could read them.  After many entries, mommy’s been able to connect with others who were experiencing some of the same joy of motherhood, some struggles & fears of being a mother, many trials & triumphs of having children (let along having a child with special needs), and some with awe inspiring experiences that they were willing to share their stories & pictures. 

With that said, today is a day to share and this is a hop for bloggers who are advocates, people with disabilities and/or have a connection with disability through blogging.  Meriah at With A Little Moxie and Rebecca at The Bates Motel are two of the ladies who are passionate about sharing.  They’ve inspired mommy to do the same so this week, we will say “CHEESE!”  

Pictures, lots and lots of pictures!

Family Time at  the Theodore Roosevelt Island (a national memorial located in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.)  Ethan decided that he was a pitcher for The Washington Nationals & threw his daddy's red Ray-Ban sunglasses into the river.  It was awesome to watch this in slooooowwww motion, or so it felt for daddy.  Boys will be boys...

The National Museum of National History.  Ethan loved being able to roam around and explore.  I love taking him there so watch his face shine!  Marisa and Gabby were great sitters or chasers.

Our visit to Richmond with one of Ethan's favorite cousin, Amanda.  Well, she found out how fast this little monkey can go!  Run, Amanda, Run...she also saw Ethan's other skills...singing & dancing, which reminds me to get her recording.

Lunch with daddy...puts a smile on all of our faces!

 
This is a Blog Hop!

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1. Just a Cool Dude | Visit blog	2. Summer Photo Clear-Out | Visit blog
3. Ouch! Our grandson decides to be a skateboarder : ) | Visit blog	4. Baseball Baby Pictures from What A Team | Visit blog
5. Riding the Crazy Train: Diary of a Delirious Mom. . . Enthusiasm in Pictures | Visit blog	6. Chunky Chicken, Youre My Tuna of the Sea | Visit blog
7. Just Like a Movie Star. . . | Visit blog	8. 10 special needs of special needs parents | Visit blog
9. Every day life at the Purdy house is purdy crazy.  Follow our journey on our blog. | Visit blog     10.  Wednesday Special Needs/Disability Blog Hop:  Say Cheese! | Visit blog

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Perfection

My Dearest Marisa and Ethan,

Today was set aside to celebrate fathers; however, your daddy said that he doesn't believe in a "father's day".  Just like mommy, daddy believes that every day that we get to watch our babies grow, laugh, smile, and be happy are "mommy's & daddy's days".  He made this comment while vacuuming the rooms upstairs. 

Your daddy woke up this morning & gave mommy some snuggle time before going to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee.  I guess bringing him breakfast in bed was out of the question.  Daddy said that he is not a very "sentimental" person but I beg to differ.  I know how much he loves having family time with us after a long day's work.  I also know how much he loves to listen to you & Ethan laugh and talk with one another.  I see how happy your daddy is when he watches you play with Ethan because I would always catch a glimpse of the huge grin on his face.  I know that it takes very little to make your daddy happy…all that you & Ethan would have to do is say “hi daddy”.

My darling babies, having a father who not only loves & treasures every moment that he spends with you guys make my heart skips a beat.  I am so honored & blessed to have a person with a strong family value, a great sense of humor, an obsessive knack for honesty & possesses a great sense of integrity.  Without a doubt, your daddy has a great capacity to love unconditionally!  He is your number one advocate.  His life’s pursuit is to encourage you to reach for the stars, to lift you up when you are at your lowest point, to laugh & cry with you when you need for him to, to help you conquer all of your fears, and to support you in your future endeavors.  Always remember that your daddy’s biggest accomplishment is having you as his daughter & Ethan as his son…you guys are his pride & joy!