talky talky talky talky talk.......

I never realized that once you get a child to talk.....you then have to also start working on getting them to stop. Ryland, my child who decided to not talk for awhile, by far makes the most noise in the house. And this noise is his constant talking about what he sees and what he thinks and all the questions he has along the way. The boy has so much to share and wants to always be the center of attention, talking to everyone.

Smaller

What I love so far about downsizing our living situation and losing almost 1000 square feet.....
1. It feels more like our home
2. It is so stinkin cute
3. It is an old house and has so much character
4. The kids rooms are right next to our room
5. Less space to clean
6. Creativity in storage
7. Purging all of the stuff (crap) we do not really need
8. Still close to our church community
9. Time to redecorate but not feeling overwhelmed because of all the open space
10. It saves us a ton of money each month that we can save or spend on family fun times or myself :)

Tangled Grief

The newest Disney movie to hit DVD is Tangled. I felt it was a pretty non-violent, non-emotional movie that my children would enjoy so we have rented it this week. It has turned into quite an emotional movie for me. I do not want to spoil the movie for anyone so without saying too much....there is a scene towards the end where the town's people and the King and Queen once a year let loose flying paper lanterns to signify their loss...it overwhelmed my heart to think of a community joined in grief. It was not their personal loss but it affected all of them and once a year they all joined to honor and remember their loss. Many times when we have people around us affected by trauma or grief we long for the day when things will be "normal" again. That is not the way grief really works. The people or person personally affected never goes back to normal, their lives change and adjust into the new normal. There is something hopeful and significant in this town joining together to hurt and grieve with this couple who has had loss. It is not forgotten, how powerful it must be and how helpful is must be for the ones most affected to be able to communally be able to "remember" and hurt together. We do not live in a bubble or vacuum. We live with people we hurt with people. I LOVE seeing this example and for some reason it gets to me every time.

Crazy 3's

My mom 2 mom group

Our Mom group went to the McCormick Railroad park today in Scottsdale. The weather right now is absolutely perfect. The kids had a blast playing on the playground, riding the choo choo and the carousel.


I am also loving these moments I have just with her without big brother (who was at school today). It had been great for the two of us to have time together.




London ended up NOT being a fan today of the carousel. She tried to get off many times while we were spinning around.

London

When did she decide to grow up?????

Medical Update

I met with an Epileptic Specialist on Monday January 31st at Barrow Neurological Centers.....kind of an amazing place. They (I got to see two specialists) both agreed that overall my EEG was normal. They saw the slight spikes and understood why my neurologist might have thought it was slightly abnormal, but to them it was a pretty average one. With that said, it is inconclusive whether I had a seizure or not. So I will not be treated medically for them. IF it was...I have a 40% chance of having another one in the next two years. If I do have another one, then it will be epilepsy and I will go on anti-seizure meds. So that is where it stands. No movement or worry unless I have another one. It is good news and I feel good even with there no being any answers on the Sept. 15th accident. It could have been just that, an accident. :)

My baby

Health Update

I was in a car accident September 15th at 7:30pm. I was charged with running a red light, I was hit by cross traffic traveling at about 45 to 50mph....end of story for about a week. I decided to see my PCP because I was really unsettled about the fact that my memory of the incident ends about 30 seconds before I reached the intersection and then I have bits and flashes of getting my phone and knowing I needed to call people, to getting on a stretcher, then my memory picks right back up when I was in the ambulance. Doctor did not like the sound of it since there was one eye witness who claimed I did not just proceed through the intersection, this man wrote that I came to a stop and then slowly rolled into the intersection. Was referred to a neurologist. Neurologist stated that he believed I lost consciousness before the accident so tests were suggested. So far I have had a CT, an MRI and an EEG. CT and MRI looked great! EEG had some abnormalities and it looks like a seizure is a possibility. My neurologist asked if I would be willing to see an epileptic specialist before deciding to go on anti-seizure medication. I agreed very willingly. I am not that interested in taking a medication that I might not actually need. So that is where we are. There are only a few epileptic specialists in the valley so I am now on a waiting list that might take a few months. Oh....and I have to see a cardiologist to also make sure my heart is in tip top shape as well.
Prayer is my stronghold. I would like to know why I did something that does not fit anything about me. But I also worry about getting answers of course. I have been told that if it is determined that it was a seizure, my license will be suspended for 90 days while I start medication. That will be a huge upset for the Gibson family to deal with but of course in the long run very manageable.
Prayer is my stronghold. God is my refuge.

Fall....FINALLY

CHEESE :)


Enjoying his cookie at his classes Pie Fest before Thanksgiving


London visiting Ryland at school


Playing on the playground after Pie Fest at school


Playing in mommy and daddy's bed


Such a BIG GIRL

Luke 6:46-49

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

The Lord is taking me deeper as I submit myself to His foundation, not my own understanding. Praise Him!

grace and peace,

matt

Halloween Parade

Ryland Walking in the School Parade:
He was suppose to be Mickey Mouse but there was an accident before the parade so he ended up wearing the soccer outfit he went to school in......oh well


School Festival


Rylands Class all Dressed up


My Pick at the Pumpkin Patch


One Great Photo of my Little Guy

Technology, it's not all bad

I always go back and forth on the use of modern technology in our home. Sometimes I think it's the most amazing thing ever and the next moment I believe it to be the devil incarnate ;-)

For instance, we haven't had television in our house for over a year. It has been so great for our family, but today we used technology in the most incredible way. We video skyped with one of Adrienne's girls she mentors in The Netherlands. Allison, has been traveling and serving in ministry for the last 3 months and will be gone for 4 more months returning to Mesa in December. When Allison gets home, she will have served in the Czech Republic, Uganda, Kenya, Latvia, and a few other places. Today, we spoke face to face. Shared stories about what God has been doing in our lives and prayed together. It was a worshipful and fun time. All because of technology.

Later this weekend, we're going to video skype with one of our dearest friends and his wife in the czech republic. Not bad.

grace and peace,

matt

1st Day of School

Today was Ryland's first day of school. I am amazed that I am already posting pictures but I wanted the family to see how well it all went.

Most Recent Read

reminder. that. the. gospel. is. EVERYTHING!

Brother Joins Circus

Many know....but for the few of you out there that do not....or for those of you who are interested in seeing pictures, my younger brother moved out to San Diego in May to start his new job at Sea World San Diego. The new dolphin show, Blue Horizons, includes platform divers in part of the show. My brother dove competitively in High School for Horizon High School and Calvidistas Del Sol. He recently decided to get back in shape and work on his dive list, I think at first for fun. Well it totally panned out for him. He was asked to audition and was offered the job. So he lives in beautiful San Diego and dives five days a week for a living. No, he does not dive WITH the dolphins. I get asked that all the time. There are dolphin and Pilot whales in the show but they are not in the pool when the divers are.
The show is amazing and is worth a little six hour drive to go see it! And Chris, I am sorry. I am officially posting pictures of you in your "bird costume."







He is one of the divers in the video. He is the first one who does a handstand on the platform before diving in.

The Very Words Of Jesus

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

so grateful that God loves me. so grateful God chose me.

humbled.

My Beautiful Baby Girl

***photo by our friend Candace***

I like me some reading!!!

Below is a picture of my summer reading. If you're thinking how does he have time for that? My answer is, it's 112 degrees outside. The only thing to do in Arizona for me in the summer is read, play music, or swim. Say hello to July and August!