Echo Lake

I came across another Rett mom's blog and found this article.....I couldn't have said it better myself

" I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this.....When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. Michelangelo's "David". The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It is all very exciting. After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "welcome to Holland". "Holland?, you say. "What do you mean Holland? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy. "But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine, and disease, it;s just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language . And you will meet a whole new group of people that you would never have met. It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around and you begin to notice that Holland has beautiful tulips. Holland even has Rembrandt's. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say: "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned." And the pain of that will never go away, because the loss of that dream is very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special and lovely things of Holland. "


I hope this helps all of you understand a little more of what we are going through........ I'm thankful to all of those who have been our support system.

We love you Zobo.......... and even though we had hoped for Italy.......we think Holland is just perfect!!!!!

Scrimmage Game

Last night was Rylee's first game...he's # 37. They lost to Cyprus by one point......Bummer....we'll get them next time.
This was Zowie at the beginning of the game.
And here she is after THREE hours of Football (do you blame her)

Therapy session with Emily

Zowie had OT yesterday. We are trying to get her to feel different textures and feed herself.
She was having a blast, and this was the end result....too cute.

On your mark...get set....go....

Notice Simon in this picture (he is too dang cute!)

For Rylee's birthday we had a barbeque at grandma Debbie's. The kids were racing in the backyard and Michelle decided to join in. The funny thing is she honestly ran as fast as she could and most of the kids beat her.....well except Liam and Katelynn (their a little accident prone)

Rylee is 9 years old!!!!!

Happy birthday Rylee

I cant believe my baby turns 9 today.......i can still remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. You have grown up to be such an outstanding boy and we are so proud of everything you do. You are amazing older brother, and we all love you so much.....
Love, Mom , Dad & Zowie

It's official....Zowie had her first seizure yesterday....talk about heartrending. I'm sure i did everything your not supposed to do.....but all i could think of doing was grabbing her and holding her in my arms. I thought we were going to be some of the lucky ones, and we could avoid this.....I guess we can just add to the never ending list of issues she must endure.

I know things could be worse, at least Zowie can sit up on her own and she has the most unbelievable personality, but I hate this disability that has robbed my daughter from a "normal" life. What i would give to hear my child say "I love you mom", or see her play toys with other children. It just seems so unfair that such an innocent child has to go through so much. The only thing that keeps me sain is my faith that one day in heaven she will run up to me with open arms and tell me those precious three little words.

I guess Monday morning were off to the doctors (the story of my life).......anyways.....I'll post a cute picture to make up for my venting.

Saturday August 9th

Rylee made the" A" team this year and they were asked to be in the Fire Water & Ice parade.....so we cheered him on as the truck drove by and he threw candy to the crowd. He looked so cute but it made me realize how old he's getting.....i'm not ready for him to grow up.

After the parade we met Grandma & Grandpa Withers, Kirk, Shannan, Mia, Michael, & Addison at Discovery Gateway. It is such a neat place but unfortunately i think this will be the last year Rylee will enjoy it (He's getting a little too old). After that we had lunch and let the kids play in the fountains.

Salt Lake Bee's

Later that night we went to the Bee's game. We left before it was over because it started raining and we didn't want to be caught in a downpour.

We had a busy Saturday but we realized Summer is coming to an end and we haven't done as much as we wanted, so i guess were trying to cram it all in at the end.

Daddy's little girl

So Zowie has been in a rotten mood for the past two days...... I have been struggling to get her to even take naps......this is what happens when her dad comes home !?!?!? So not fair!!!! She is definitely a daddy's girl.

Our trip to San Francisco