Rise Above

I was reminded at church today that even though it may be a cloudy, dismal day, the sun is still shining!  Just because we can't see the sun doesn't mean that it is not there shining for all its worth above the clouds.  In the same way, when we are going through some dark times whether it has been just a short time or has lasted for quite a while, Jesus, the Son, is still there!  He hasn't left!  He hasn't stopped being who He is . . . The only true Son, the Light of the world. 

Also today, our pastor mentioned he felt like God was wanting to flood the place, to fill us up.  It came to me that normally when a flood happens it leaves behind damage, debris and mud - nothing good.  But when our God floods a place what is left behind is restoration, healing and cleansing.  All is made new again!  In the same way, we are washed by Christ's BLOOD to be made WHITE as snow.  It makes no sense, but it makes perfectly good sense . . .  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  Isaiah 55:8

Speech Update

This morning while dropping off something in the school office, Janae's speech teacher, Mrs. Hodge, stopped me and wanted to let me know that Janae has mastered all the goals listed on her IEP we set in February! She said that Janae still needs work on her "r" blends, mainly the middle and ending sounds, and instead of calling and having me come in for a meeting to tell me this, she just wanted to tell me today.  She also said that we could have put the "r" blends on her IEP list at the annual meeting, but she really didn't think that it was necessary - meaning she didn't think that Janae would have mastered every goal before this coming February.

Mrs. Hodge is sooo pleased with Janae's progress.  She started working with Janae in Summer Speech Camp in June 2012 and has then been her therapist ever since she started kindergarten. Mrs. Hodge made the comment that when she first started working with Janae in 2012, she thought "oh boy, this is going to be a long road for Janae."  I guess Janae had quite a few letter blend sounds that needed working on, and if you have that many, then it takes a while to work through them.  But Mrs. Hodge said it seems that something just clicked in Janae, and she has progressed extremely well!  Janae can also tell when she doesn't say something correct and then works on saying it properly, which I guess not all speech kids notice when they don't say something correct.

I am so thankful for all the help Janae has received in improving her speech since the age of 2 1/2.  I'm pretty sure that she will miss her speech therapy sessions once she is finally done as she has loved every minute of it :o)

Thanks to Mrs. Hodge, Miss Jennifer, Miss Lori, and Kim!

Our Painting Project

Allyson came up with the idea a few weeks ago that she wanted to change her room color.  We told her that was a good possibility, but it probably wouldn't happen until Rodney's work slows down - meaning sometime this winter.

Well, it happened a whole lot sooner.  Rodney came up with the idea to do it this weekend, but also to not only paint Allyson's room, but Janae and Kaycie's room as well.  Allyson already knew what color she wanted . . . pink, but with the other two, they had to agree on the same one.  While at the store looking at paint samples, we came up with the idea to paint two walls one color and the other two walls another color.  J and K were all excited about that, but now they had to agree on two colors!

We started somewhere around 2:30 and finished up sometime close to 8:30 (that includes a short break time).  It was quite the tiring day, but so glad we got it done!  We finished putting J and K's room back together today, so here are the before and after pictures.

before - a light green color

after - a bold pink called "girl talk"  :o)

 Allyson's room put back together.  Looks great except for the curtains.  Guess you know what I'll be looking for in the next week or so.

before - a light blue color

the green wall . . . yes it does look a bit blue, but it is not.  The color is called "perpetual green", but I would call it "amish green".  We probably should have went with the shade lighter, but too late now :o)

the pink walls called "pink shock"

Janae and Kaycie's room put back together.  Despite not liking the green color as much, I think it turned out really well.  And, of course, we had to rearrange the room :o)

Not sure if I'll look for new curtains for their room or not.

I did have a thought that I should paint pink circles on the green wall and green circles on the pink wall.  Yes? No?  

Swim Lessons

This summer I finally was able to find a great swim instructor.  Allyson took her first round of lessons in June and really did a great job!  That's also when Janae and Kaycie both said that they wanted to take them too, so I signed them all up for the August session even though I was a bit skeptical that the younger two really wanted to.

The August session started on Kaycie's 5th birthday, and for the most part both Janae and Kaycie were excited to try.  However, immediately after Kaycie's first lesson was over, she promptly told me that she did not want to continue taking lessons.  I tried talking her into trying one more time, but she is/was determined that she wasn't taking swim lessons.  Both Alexis (the swim instructor) and I thought she did a great job for the first time, but . . .  I'm hoping that maybe next year she will want to try again.  We'll see.

Janae has really surprised me!  She's always been the one who takes a lot of coaxing and prodding in getting her to try something new.  I think she was a bit apprehensive the first time out, but she has loved it ever since.  The biggest obstacle that she's had to work at is holding her breath underwater and not swallowing any.  I think by her 3rd or 4th lesson she has done so well that she either did not swallow any at all or it was just a tiny bit.  It's fun watching her during the lesson.  One way Alexis has gotten Janae to put her head underwater is by having Janae tell her what kind of fish she see down there (there are no fish).  Janae has quite the imagination :o)

Here are some pictures from today's lesson (#5).  They only have one more lesson on Thursday and then school starts!

Just in the pool and got the goggles on, ready to go.

Underwater :o)

Swimming with the kick board the length of the pool and back.  She didn't quite have her arms in the proper position - they should have been straight and with Janae more in the water.

Allyson waiting for her lesson.

Swimming.

I think they were either practicing just putting her head underwater or reaching down to pick up some rings (to get her head underwater).

I think this is Janae's favorite part . . . throwing the ball and swimming after it.

Jumping off the edge.  The last few lessons Alexis had her do this, Janae would always lean down and grab her hands before jumping in.  When it was Allyson's turn yesterday, I had Janae watch how Allyson just jumped in, and Alexis would catch/help her.  I explained that that is what Alexis wants her to do - just jump in.  Janae finally understood it, and said she would try to do it today.  The first couple of tries I don't think she quite managed to do it (a bit scary I think), but by the last attempt, she did it or at least I think she did (I was too busy taking the picture to see if she actually did!) ;o)

First attempt jumping off.

Second attempt.

Third attempt.

Last attempt.  It looks like she did it, and Janae and Kaycie both say she did, so I'll take their word on it :o)

Allyson's turn on the kick board.

Practicing pushing off of the side and gliding to Alexis.

Learning how to breathe while swimming.

When Alexis taps Allyson's head, she is to turn and take a breath and then continue on swimming.

Swimming the length of the pool and back!  And yes, she did it, but with some help.

Learning to do a flip underwater.

Learning the dolphin kick.  Alexis pulls the rope fast towards her, and Allyson stays in this position and kicks her feet - the dolphin way :o)

Jumping off the edge of the pool.

Getting out.

Jumping off the diving board.  Allyson loves this!  She even asked if she could do this on her very first swim lesson ever!  Braver than her mama :o)

Looking for a torpedo on the bottom.  This is just a toy they throw and then swim after it.

Some Summer Fun

As you know, this week has been HOT to say the least.  The thought occurred to me the first of the week that "I think Goshen has a small splash pad.  I should surprise the girls one day and go there."  And that's what happened on Wednesday.  Some time after lunch I told the girls to put on their swimsuits, but didn't tell them where we were going.  They were all full of guesses as to where we were going.  Allyson kinda figured it out, but she thought we were going to a splash pad we saw across from Elkhart Hospital the other day.

Here are some pictures of them cooling off and having fun.

Kaycie is standing on one of the water fountain sprayers.

Janae's favorite part - the circle of water.

Once some of the older kids left, Allyson was able to try the water bucket.  Here she is waiting.

This ended up being her favorite part. 

I'm glad I remembered about this splash pad and ended up going.  Definitely need to do this again!

Unleashing the Power

I just love, Love, LOVE this picture!!!

A theme our church has settled on for this summer is "paint the town", and this picture was used as an illustration.

To me it represent so much.

~ how we think we know what God is doing, but in reality we have no idea until we take that first step

~ if we would just take that risk and do what God is asking us to do - WOW

~ we think all is great . . . just wait!

~ we wonder if it will ever get better . . . just wait!

~ we can bring color/life to the world around us by just showing them Jesus

~ this phrase also keeps coming to my mind "unleashing the power"

~ right now we see in part, but later we'll see in full

~ what beauty will we find if we just take the time to . . . cultivate that relationship . . . be kind to a stranger in need . . . speak words of peace, love, life . . . dance in His Reign unashamedly (click here to read why I say this)

Whatever this picture says to you, I hope it inspires/encourages you as much as it has me.


If you would like, leave me a comment on what it says to you.

My Ball Player

Here are Janae's Little League pictures.  She is all about playing "bat and ball"!  If you ever come to visit, be prepared to be asked by her to play :o)