Appointments and More Appointments!

Over the past 2 wks Sallie has been to a lot of Dr's appts.  Not such a fun way to start your summer but necessary. 

We began with a pediatric Opthamologist.  Her teacher and therapist as well as us had noticed some issues with her eyes which we were unsure about so we decided it was best to check things out.  We were concerned that there was an issue with the internal structure of her eyes.  I will be honest.  I really struggled with this.  I was very overwhelmed by the thought of something else being "wrong". I know I should not respond that way but I did.  However, I really had more of a peace about it on the day of the appt.  Not necessarily a peace that everything would be "normal" but more of a peace that we could handle it whatever it was.  They began with a vision test and it became very clear to us rather quickly that she had some issues with vision.  They then dilated her eyes and he looked at the structure and did some further testing.  Turns out the structure of her eyes is completely healthy!  Praise God!!!  She does have some astigmatism and needed glasses.  There is some difference in each of her eyes.  We go back in 3 months to see how she tests with the glasses on and if they do not correct the difference then we may have to do something in addition to the glasses.

She did really well.  She was pretty nervous in the beginning but once she calmed down she did well!

This sign was hanging in the room and we had never seen this before but thought it was great obviously.  This group of Drs does a lot of charity work and medical missions as well.  

We left that appt and headed to see Dr. Bauer.  We had a great visit with him and he said both ears looked beautiful and we hearing great!  Wonderful news!  He said he would see us in 6 mths unless we need him before.  We have never been that long without seeing him!  Maybe we won't need him!  We do love him though!  I always have good intentions of getting a pic of he and Sallie and always forget in the midst of her appt and maybe one day we will remember but this is a pic from their fb page of him with a gift for winning Mom's Choice Pediatric ENT for the metroplex this year.  Very deserving!

Last week we saw a Craniofacial Surgeon.  Sallie was born with a cleft palate which was surgically closed when she was 9 mths.  However, her palate is still short.  So, she is unable to make certain sounds, very nasally, etc.  We were told a few yrs ago by a surgeon in Dallas that he would not put her through the surgery to correct this issue unless she progressed further with speech.  So now that she has the cochlears and is attempting to imitate sounds we wanted to see where we were with this.  This was a Dr we had never seen before.  He explained the procedure to us which makes me kinda sick to think about.  He said if it were his child he would wait and see what she does with speech due to the complexity of the surgery.  It is not that the surgery will make her verbal which we already knew.  It is a clarity issue.  So, we wait...  We do not want to hurry this at all but I guess sometimes you just feel like things are hanging over your head and you want to get it behind you if you have to.  We see him again in 6 mths.  Lizzie and Millie accompanied us on this day.  They did really well too and even had a little fun hanging out waiting to see the Dr.

Next we went for her to be fitted for her glasses.  I think she looks precious!

We then went to her audiologist where she received a new device for her implant.  I should have pics but I don't.  It is called a Rondo and it is a piece that looks like a small computer mouse and there is no processor behind the ear or cables.  It is brand new and she only qualified to exchange her back up on one side based on her implant dates.  It is new and still lots of testing to be done to determine if it is as good as previous device.  It is much less complicated to attach but more bulky.  We still have the normal unit for that side so we will see. 

Whew... It was a busy day!  After we left the audiologist we had to head back to opthamologist because once she put new device on the glasses did not fit properly.  Finally got them working pretty well! 

BIG TOP!

Lizzie and Millie took dance again this year but at a new studio.  They loved it!  Memorial Day Weekend they had their recital.  It was a busy weekend!  They had dress rehearsal on Fri afternoon/nt, followed by recital on Sat afternoon, followed by 2nd recital on Sunday afternoon.  It was all really good and they are ready to dance next yr!

Another Come and Gone

It is really hard to believe that another school yr has come and gone!  But, it has! 

We ended our 3rd AWANA yr on May 15th.  I regret that I have no pics...  I am never able to take pics during these things.  I intended to take some after we were finished that night of the girls with their awards but I guess we were too tired once it was over.  Sallie finished her book from last yr and got a medal which she loves!  Lizzie finished her book for this year and the entire extra credit book!  I need to count how many verses this is.  It is A LOT!!!  Not to be outdone little sis Millie also finished her book and extra credit book!  Once again, LOTS of verses!  Lizzie and Millie are in the same group (Sparks) and they are quite competitive with each other.  It is good for them!  I might just dress them in their uniforms and take pics one day with their awards just so I have them!  We ended the yr with an Awards Ceremony/Family Night complete with grilled burgers, a bounce house, and water slide.  The weather was great!  We had bad weather all around but it missed us and we were thankful!  VBS is on the horizon!

This year our schools had a flex year end option.  Sallie, Lizzie, and Millie all got out on May 17th.

Last Day of  Kindergarten, 1st, and 4th Grades

Ell had 9 more days and finished up this week and ended her Sophomore year.  Whew...

HELLO SUMMER!!!!

SES Awards Day 2013

 We were very proud of Sallie, Lizzie, and Millie at the Elem School Awards Day!

Sallie received a gift from her teacher for promoting from the Elem School to Middle School.  She also received a certificate for having A's and B's all year!  To say I was an emotional wreck is an understatement!  Between her leaving Elem School and the teacher who we adore and has taken such great care of her and reflecting over all she has been through during this school year, I was a mess!

Lizzie received Top Reader for her class!  She is a great reader and has really taken off this year!  She also received an Award for Hardest Working in PE. 

All the Kindergarten kiddos got a Marvelous and Magnificent Award and Millie also received a PE Award. 

Both Kindergarten and 1st Grade have behavior charts and I am very proud to say that Millie and Lizzie both had good behavior for the entire year!!!  They never had to move down as they say! 

Mother's Day 2013

I had a great Mother's Day!  The only thing I would change about Mother's Day is that it be celebrated on a day other than Sunday!  Sundays at our house are hectic!  However, we did not have any activities at church Sunday nt so we did have a long relaxing afternoon.  My only requests each yr is that A and the girls cook.  A insists that I choose the meal and then he takes care of it.  They really do know how to treat me special and that is worth more than anything to me!  I always think of how blessed I am on Mother's Day.  I have a husband who loves me and shows that to me every day, not just one day a year.  He appreciates me as a mother and he tells me on a regular basis.  I have 4 girls who I think are beyond amazing!   I read or hear people say they are proud to have healthy kids and I know what they mean and they should acknowledge that as something to be proud of.  I can say that mostly but not completely.  I am thankful that God gave me my girls just the way they are!  I am blessed to celebrate with not only my girls but their Daddy and we actually enjoy our time together.  I know that everyone can not say that.  Mother's Day is always a little tough for me because we are not with our families but I do have SO MUCH to be thankful for on Mother's Day including that both our Mother's are still here and we can call them and talk to them even if we can't be with them. 

My first Mother's Day Elleigh was 4 days old.  I wasn't sure what mothering was all about.  Much has changed as I celebrated my 17th Mother's Day!  I can say for sure that on that 1st Mother's Day I certainly didn't think one day I would be taking a picture with my 4 daughters!  My heart is so full just saying that!!!  Praise God for giving me 4 daughters!!!!

SWEET 16!

I have taken a BIG blog break lately!  Now it is time to play catch up! 

May 7th was Elleigh's 16th Birthday!!!  Whew...  It really seems unreal and yes I cried A LOT!  BUT, it is real and I survived as did her Daddy!

I kept thinking how on earth is she 16.  I know it is so cliche but really it happened SO quickly.  I also spent a lot of time thinking how thankful I am.

We could not be more proud of the young lady she is.

She has standards and goals and she works hard to stick to those and strive for more. 

She is wise beyond her years in many ways. 

Although she has faced and continues to face a lot of criticism for being "different" she does not allow that to change her. 

She has learned that doing the right thing is often the hardest but has chosen that path despite the difficulties. 

She has accepted our lives and ministry although it is often not easy.

She has learned to appreciate what she has and to be content and that even if she doesn't have all the world has, she is greatly blessed and has more than most.

She has a huge heart for missions.

Most importantly she loves the Lord and seeks to please Him.

Elleigh has faced some things that many girls her age have never walked through.  Some of them because of her choices, some because of the places the Lord has put us, some because of our family being in full time ministry, some just life situations.  As hard as it has been to see her face some of this, I realize it is part of the Lord molding her and I am thankful for that.  Honestly, it is scary to think of what the Lord is preparing her for.  Is she perfect?  Of course not, none of us are but she is something to be proud of!  Praise the Lord and I pray that she continues to live for HIM no matter the costs! 

The weekend before her Birthday we went to Fort Worth and celebrated with her friend Sarah. We   went on Friday and had dinner and then spent the night.  Ell, Sarah, and I did a little shopping on Sat before we headed back home.

 

See she isn't totally not like other teenagers!

 Love these 2 and am excited to see what the Lord does with these 2!

A took the other girls to the zoo while we were shopping.  I can't believe Sallie who is horrified of cats and dogs would pet a snake!  Lizzie did too but she just wasn't in this picture somehow.  

 

The day of her Birthday!

Hoping the next year passes not quite so quickly!!!

Our precious first born through the years!