hand surgery {take 2}

Last year, I posted this update following Kemeri's first hand surgery.  She has continued to make some progress, but not quite as much as her specialists think is possible.  She has a very slight amount of "squeeze" between her new thumb and the rest of her hand, but not enough to be super helpful.  We were told in the beginning that more than one surgery was a possibility, and here we are.  We are scheduled for tomorrow morning to have a tendon transferred with the hope that it will enable her to have more strength and movement in her thumb (think zippers, buttons, & all kinds of other everyday things people don't typically think twice about).  Thankfully, this surgery is not as intensive as the other one, so the recovery time should be less.

I do want to address something as best I can.  Someone recently made a snarky comment that put me a little on the defensive (I try not to go there, but you know, I'm human).  The decision to opt for surgery on Kemeri's hand is NOT for cosmetic reasons and was not made lightly.  After lots of research, discussions, opinions, etc., we decided surgery was worth pursuing to increase the practical functionality of Kemeri's left hand.  To be honest, her specialists have talked of doing a toe transfer, but we didn't feel like that was an avenue necessary since Kemeri has one fully formed hand.  If that's something she chooses to pursue down the road, we would fully support her in that.  However, the best chance for success with the tendon transfers and release are while she is young, so those decisions we had to make for her based on what we felt was in her best interest now.  Every child with a limb difference is unique in what might be a good intervention or not.  We love our Kemeri Abigail's little hand, period.  We are not trying to make it look a certain way, but we are trying to bring her some strength and greater functionality.  She is talking openly about her surgery tomorrow and is excited that we are trying to make her thumb move more so she can hold things with her left hand...she practices all the time!  Anyway, I never, ever mind someone asking about our decisions at all!  It's really quite amazing and interesting to see and learn about all of the different options, so I am more than happy to share.  I just don't do so well with assumptions that are contrary to reality. :)

I will try to update from the hospital tomorrow...we would love your prayers for a successful surgery!

it's like independence day

Easter, 2015.  We colored eggs & threw some chocolate & jelly beans in baskets. (Really, because that decorative grass stuff? Just no. The kids requested its banishment several years ago because it never leaves.  Smart kids.)

I really do love that the big boys joined in of their own free will. Seeing the kids doing things together makes the whole egg coloring thing worth it.

Easter was very reflective for me this year.  I even talked to Joe about it before church.  And then we get to church, & the sermon was in that same place of reflection.  It's so easy to go through the motions of these holidays without really feeling the significance of what it meant for Jesus to take my place on that cross and to rise again.  As I have been rolling it around in my mind and heart, the word that keeps coming to mind is "freedom".  Not only did Jesus' death free me from my sins, but His life and death have given me the freedom to live life beyond just surviving it.  I am free to love, hope, and dream, even in all my imperfections.  I am free to live in a way that doesn't look like the American dream, but in a way that brings joy that the American dream can never supply. I am free to question, to wrestle, to stumble...all the while seeking Jesus in me and in you.  

It's like Independence Day from sin, death, indifference, conformity, and the measuring sticks of this world.  We are free to create communities of grace, love, forgiveness, generosity, compassion, and hope with the unique passions God has instilled within each of us.

That's it...I think next Easter, we need fireworks.  Brilliant explosions of light in the sky on Easter seem way more appropriate than chocolate bunnies.  Who's in? 

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.  ~Galatians 5:1

Christ is Risen...He is Risen, Indeed!!

a new kind of excitement

While I made this announcement on FB, I realized that I had yet to share the news on my blog.  Kaelee is engaged to be married!!!  Bryan, bless his heart, followed all the proper protocol in asking for our blessing, and we couldn't be more happy for these two!

Kaelee is the epitome of a planner, so there is no rushing this wedding.  She knows herself well, so she has allowed plenty of time for planning so that she can enjoy it and not get stressed over having to make rushed decisions.  The official date is June 17, 2016.

A few weeks ago, we ventured into the world of wedding dresses.  I guess I should have known when we walked into the boutique & were required to put these huge, very pink shower cap-type things over our shoes by a rather abrupt older woman that it might not be a storybook experience.  Let's just say we ended up having more fun shopping together at Target and going out for lunch. :)

Take Two on Bridal Dresses...I had a good feeling when we were escorted to our own private try-on area, and *these* were on the table.

What a difference!! We had a wonderful person helping us, no rushing, no pressure...just fun!  And guess what?  I cried.  I did!  Kaelee had found three dresses that were "maybe's", so she went through trying them on again.  Up to this point, I had been very objective trying to give practical opinions, but something happened when she put that third dress back on.  Suddenly I just saw my sweet girl beaming, & it all just hit me.  Those precious moments of seeing joy in the face of your child....ahhh, the tears just came!  She decided that was her dress, and by golly, then I knew we had picked the right place to shop because they busted out glasses of champagne!

What a special day with my girl.  I can't wait to go back to this place with the whole entourage when Kearsten comes home in June.  The plan is for her sisters to help her decide on a veil, and we'll begin the shopping for bridesmaids dresses.  It makes me smile just thinking about it.

surprises & snuggles

We had our first lost tooth! No, really, this was a first.  Kendi literally lost her tooth.  We don't know exactly when; we definitely don't know where.  I was doing her hair & very matter of fact-like she said, "My tooth is lost."  Sure enough, it's gone. It's been loose since she took a tumble a few weeks ago, but it was just not loose enough to pluck out.  Kendi calmly suggested that the tooth fairy must have cast a spell & took it away.  I didn't argue.  

And just because one cutie picture is not enough, I give you a second.  Kemeri loves Kam's doggie, Daisy.  We find them snuggling a lot. I honestly think Daisy is a therapy dog wannabe when it comes to Kemeri. Generally she's kinda spoiled, but with Kemeri, it's a real thing.

"yet" has arrived

Back in 2011, I wrote this post about no futbol for our guy (yet) as his choice was football.  Well, "yet" has arrived!  As I mentioned in this post, K'Tyo decided this past Fall he wanted to give soccer a try.  He had a great season of learning & was invited by a coach to join an indoor team for the winter.  What a great experience it has been!  He has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know his teammates, & his coaches were my kind of people...teaching skills AND sportsmanship.  Anyway, K'Tyo liked football, but I think he has found much joy in futbol!

This past Saturday was a very exciting day as his indoor team made it to the championship game of the tournament.  What an impressive showing from 9 & 10 year olds in that game!  At the end of regulation time, the score was tied 3-3, so the game went into a 5-minute overtime.  Still tied, so it went into a shoot out with 3 players representing each team, & K'Tyo was one of our 3.  Deep breath.  They scored, we scored, they scored, we missed.  The shoot out was 2-1, but their final player's shot went wide, so we had one shot left to tie it up, & K'Tyo was the final shot.  Oh my heart.

He stepped up & put it in *just* between the left side of the goal & the goalie, so the game went to a sudden death shoot out.  (At this point I should mention that when we were getting out of the van, I kissed him on the head & told him to play hard and have fun.  I then teased him about leaving pink lipstick on his head for good luck.  Well, that may have to be part of the pregame from now on! Ha!) My goodness, this was a lot of intensity I did not anticipate for this age bracket!  The other team's first shot went wide, & our next player got up & placed a beautiful shot into the upper right corner to seal the win!  

We are so proud of K'Tyo & his team for a great showing of teamwork & sportsmanship.  Bless him, afterward he said, "Mom, I was so nervous."  It was very sweet.  Even sweeter was seeing him tell kids from the other team nice job as we were leaving the facility & even patting one guy on the shoulder that had obviously shed a few tears.  He played a great game & scored a couple goals, but I am most impressed by & proud of his developing character.  Great job, K'Tyo!  

Kemeri is 5!

Kemeri Abigail turned 5 on March 18th!  We opted to wait until Saturday for cake & presents.  For some kiddos this would be an issue, but Kemeri decided it was great fun to count down & declare herself the Birthday Girl on every day in between!  March 18th was also the third anniversary of Kemeri becoming part of our family :)

Several months back, I found a woman that has a heart for making dollies that look just like their person.  Kemeri ADORES her new doll...she has a special hand just like Kemeri's, right down to the zigzag scar above her wrist!

5 Candles...Can you believe it!?

She & her new doll have been inseparable since meeting.

Kemeri Abigail, you are growing up so fast!  You have the most beautiful smile, & I love the way you always find complimentary things to say to people in such a sincere way.  You are a precious girl, sweet one...we love you!!

just thankful

Thankful for moments to enjoy with my littlest girls and Daddy at the theater.

Thankful for a Daddy that is brave enough to take 4 kiddos to the grocery & have fun doing it.

Thankful for delight in something as simple as Christmas lights brought out on a snowy January night.

Thankful for a teenage son that has a heart for his family.

Thankful for this crazy dog that seems to know when someone isn't feeling quite right & makes himself snuggler extraordinaire.

Thankful that these two are more than brother & sister...they are friends.

Thankful for the moments not caught in pictures...siblings (big & little) curled up watching movies with each other, hearing my kids laugh together, text messages from my oldest daughters, friends that pray for, encourage, & challenge me....What are you thankful for today?